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Woods wins for the first time in five years

By Mutala Yakubu
Tiger Woods' previous tournament win was the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August 2013
Tiger Woods' previous tournament win was the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August 2013
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An emotional Tiger Woods completed an astonishing comeback to win the season-ending Tour Championship by two shots and record his first win in five years.

The 42-year-old's victory in Atlanta was his 80th PGA Tour title - only fellow American Sam Snead has more - but his first since August 2013.

Less than a year ago he was 1,199 in the world after spinal fusion surgery - the latest of multiple operations.

"I was having a hard time not crying on that last hole," Woods said.

"I just can't believe I've pulled this off."

Thousands of fans spilled on to the 18th fairway to follow Woods to the green chanting "U-S-A" and "Tiger, Tiger" after his approach found a bunker on the edge of the green.

Woods holed out for par to complete a final round of 71 for an 11-under total before holding his arms aloft in celebration of a brilliant win just days before the Ryder Cup gets under way in Paris.

When Woods last won a tournament in August 2013...

Barack Obama was in the first year of his second four-year term as US President.

Manchester United were preparing to begin their first season under new manager David Moyes following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

British boxer Anthony Joshua had only just turned professional a month earlier, going onto become IBF, WBO and WBA world heavyweight champion.

Woods was still number one until May 2014. Seven players have held the position since - Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

Of the 21 men's major golf championships played since there have been 16 different winners.

Tiger Woods career timeline

April 1997: Wins his first major championship at the Masters

June 1997: Becomes world number one for the first time, less than a year after turning professional

June 2000: Wins the US Open by a record 15 shots

June 2008: Wins his 14th major championship at the US Open to move within four of Jack Nicklaus's record of 18

November 2009: His car hits a tree and fire hydrant outside his Florida home, leading to revelations about what he calls "transgressions" in his private life

August 2010: He and wife Elin Nordegren announce they are divorced

August 2013: Wins his 106th global title and 79th on the PGA Tour at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational

May 2016: Falls out of the top 500 in the world rankings for the first time as a professional, eventually reaching as low as number 1,199 in December 2017

April 2017: Has spinal fusion surgery, the third surgery in 19 months to try and cure pain in his back and leg

May 2017: Is arrested and charged with driving under the influence after being found asleep at the wheel of his car with the engine running.

September 2018: Is named as a wildcard pick for the 2018 Ryder Cup to return to the side for the first time since 2012, a month after finishing second at the PGA Championship.

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