Tiger Woods reacts as he wins the Masters golf tournament Sunday, April 14, 2019, in Augusta, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Tiger Woods won the Masters and nearly stopped the Twitterverse in its tracks.
There were shout-outs from two presidents who have played with the five-time champion, congrats from a cavalcade of actors and musicians and most fitting, perhaps, were the celebratory toasts from a parade of A-list athletes including Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant and Serena Williams.
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“Congratulations, Tiger!” former President Barack Obama tweeted. “To come back and win the Masters after all the highs and lows is a testament to excellence, grit, and determination.”
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President Donald Trump, who’s visited his branded golf courses more 150 times since taking office, watched Woods cruise toward victory from his course in Virginia.
“Watching final hole of @TheMasters. @TigerWoods is looking GREAT!”
A moment later, after Woods’ final putt dropped on 18, Trump added from the presidential limousine : “Love people who are great under pressure. What a fantastic life comeback for a really great guy!”
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who won a record sixth Super Bowl this past February, joked that he was plotting how to match the number of major golf championships Woods has now accumulated .
“Running the numbers on how long it’ll take me to get to 15…”
Brady explained his non-stop tweeting, saying the final round of the Masters was his only “couch day of the year.”
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In the NBA, LeBron James said he was “inspired” by Tiger’s win.
Portland coach Terry Stotts was into the action even though his team was preparing for a playoff game.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry, who played last night, called it the “greatest comeback story in sports.”
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Even Serena Williams took a break from partying at tennis player Caroline Wozniacki’s bachelorette party in the Bahamas to congratulate Woods.
“I am literally in tears watching @TigerWoods this is Greatness like no other. Knowing all you have been through physically to come back and do what you just did today? Wow Congrats a million times! I am so inspired thank you buddy.”
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Actor Hugh Jackman sent his congrats from a less-exotic locale. He took a selfie in front of a TV screen, apparently at home, showing Woods in the background walking up the fairway en route to his win .
“What a comeback!!!” he gushed. “Congrats @GCTigerTracker on winning @TheMasters”
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It wasn’t just Americans enthralled with Tiger’s comeback story. The BBC led its evening news broadcast with news of his fifth green jacket.