Tiger Woods: I am very lucky to be playing again

A gritty two-under 70 clinched a one-shot victory over Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele and earned the 43-year-old a 15th major title, his first since a 2008 US Open, and a fifth Masters title.

But Woods, who is now just three majors shy of Jack Nicklaus’ record haul of 18, said he feels fortunate to be playing golf after a succession of setbacks.

"At the previous champions dinner I was really struggling and missed a couple of years playing in this great tournament and now be champion with 22 years between the wins," said in Butler Cabin.

Francesco Molinari had played near flawless golf through the first three rounds, carding a single bogey, but on Sunday a bogey along with the two doubles during a miserable final round of two-over 74 left him two back of the winner, allowing Woods to seal a first Masters title in 14 years.

"I was just trying to plod my way along the golf course all day," said Woods. "When I tapped the putt in, I don’t know what I did but I know I screamed.”

"To have my kids there – it’s come full circle. My dad was here in 97 (when he won his first Masters) and now I’m the dad with two kids there."