The PGA Tour event where ‘all hell broke loose’ for Tiger Woods just before his 2019 Masters victory at Augusta

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Before Tiger Woods’ 2019 Masters victory, there were signs the soon-to-be 15-time major winner was getting back near his best form.

The season prior, Woods finished second at the PGA Championship, tied sixth at The Open, and first at the season-ending Tour Championship; his trajectory was clear.

Eight months later, Woods won his fifth green jacket at Augusta National, completing one of the great comeback stories in sports. Many believed another major win was impossible.

Yet, given the way Woods performed at the 2018 Tour Championship, major number 15 was more than a possibility.

Why ‘hell broke loose’ at the 2018 Tour Championship for Tiger Woods

During the 2018 season finale at East Lake, Woods sealed a two-shot victory over Billy Horschel after holding his nerve on the 72nd hole.

After dispatching a 340-yard drive down the finishing par-five, Tiger found the front bunker and easily made par to take the end-of-season crown.

As he made his way to the green, a scene from yesteryear emerged as fans spilt out onto the fairway to walk Woods onto the putting surface. It was an atmosphere only the 15-time major winner was capable of igniting.

Speaking 12 months after his East Lake victory, Woods admitted thinking about the 2018 climax still gave him chills. “It gives me chills almost every single time I see it,” Woods said. “At the time, it didn’t seem like that because I didn’t really look back. I only looked back a couple of times over my right shoulder.”

“Everyone just busted loose behind us, and all hell broke loose. I got on the green, I looked, and I’m like, Holy cow, there’s a lot of people out there.”

Woods added: “When Rory and I came off the tee, the people were starting to break under the ropes. Police officers were trying to keep things at bay but once we hit our second shots it became pandemonium. The evolution of being on tour, normally people would clap, but now people would only yell because they can’t clap because they have a phone in their hands. It was funny when one of the side angles to see the sea of arms out leaning forward with their cameras out.

“I get a big kick out of that. The fans are everything in our sport. Hey I am a fan too! I love golf, I grew up in it, I love to watch it and being a part of it. For them to have that moment and for me to be able to share that moment with them through all the hard work and all the procedures I have had. They showed the warm embrace of the old guy coming back and climbing the mountain all over again.”

• READ MORE: Tiger Woods selects the best long putt he’s ever hit ‘by far’ during his entire career on the PGA Tour

Why Tiger Woods’ 2018 Tour Championship win was so special

After starting the 2017/18 season outside the world’s top 1000, Woods landing his 80th PGA Tour title was something most initially only dreamed of.

Woods quickly rose the world rankings after finishing runner-up at the Valspar Championship and PGA Championship, as well as landing three more top-ten finishes.

At the Tour Championship, Woods held a share of the lead during the first days before posting an exquisite 65 during the round to hold a three-shot advantage over Rory McIlroy heading into Sunday’s play.

Woods had a five-stroke cushion after the 13th but dropped shots on 15 and 16 before he made a vital par save on the 17th to make the 72nd hold relatively comfortable and ultimately set the stage for one of the most iconic moments in modern golf.