Xander Schauffele admits he was stunned by what Tiger Woods did to deal with ‘insane’ issue at Augusta during 2019 Masters

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Tiger Woods’ return to glory during the 2019 Masters Tournament is arguably golf’s most iconic moment.

Eleven years after his last major victory, Woods kept some of the PGA Tour‘s in-form players at arm’s length to secure his 15th major championship win.

The American used his experience to avoid any significant issues on Augusta’s back nine, eventually finishing one shot clear of Xander Schauffele, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka.

Birdies on 13, 15 and 16 saw Woods take a two-shot lead down the 18th, where he would make a bogey and seal the victory.

Xander Schauffele stunned by what Tiger Woods did at 2019 Masters

Augusta National, when the wind gets up, can prove to be a tough test. Scottie Scheffler highlighted the blustery conditions during the 2024 Masters, and several big-name players struggled in the second round of the most recent event.

The wind was a significant factor in 2019, and Schauffele believes Woods’ decision-making—particularly on the 12th—was critical.

“Oh man, I’ve seen the wildest stuff happen to be in some spots there. 11, 12 and 13 I remember the year BK (Brooks Koepka) went double then eagle,” Schauffele told Golf.com.

“I was in the group in front of him, maybe, and I was close. I remember sitting there – I think I was on 13 or walking up 13 – and I see these balls just get stood up. I think Tiger hits like a completely different shot, chips like a seven iron or something and everyone else went for a full shot.

“He took spin off, hit it low and two putters. The classic veteran in the moment. He did something different to take spin off. I saw that happen live, and I was like, holy smokes. Then we played 13, and it felt like it was into, but how was it into when they’re getting stood up on 12? The swirl on the tress is insane.”

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What did Xander Schauffele shoot during the final round of 2019 Masters

Schauffele actually produced one of the best rounds on the final day of the 2019 Masters. The American shot a four-under 68 but was in desperate need of a birdie during the latter stages.

Schauffele made pars on 18, 17, 16, and most damagingly, the par-five 15th. Had the American made birdie on the reachable downhill par-five, the outcome of the 2019 Masters could have been very different.

Koepka also endured an up-and-down final round and was left to rue a double-bogey five on the par-three 12th. The now five-time major winner bounced back with an eagle on the 13th but ended up coming agonisingly short.

Despite the challenges, there was only one man the golfing world wanted to win, and Woods’ 2019 Masters victory marked one of the most unlikely comebacks in sporting history.