Former Ghana president John Mahama has hailed golf maestro Tiger Woods for clinching his fifth Masters and 15th major title to seal one of the greatest comeback stories in sport after overcoming career-threatening back problems.
He said Woods’ story is that of perseverance and a big lesson to all to never give up.
Great win for @TigerWoods!
Gives credence to Churchill’s advice “Never, never, never, give up! This is a triumph of perseverance! We are all happy for Tiger. pic.twitter.com/8xMtG140pl— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) April 15, 2019
Mahama is seeking a comeback to Ghana’s presidency after losing the 2016 elections to incumbent Nana Akufo-Addo.
Perhaps, the story of the 43-year-old will be a great motivation to the social democrat.
two years after spinal fusion surgery, Woods captured his fifth Masters title and his 15th major with a one-shot victory on Sunday to trigger ecstatic scenes of joy around the 18th green.
Woods was helped into the green jacket by last year’s winner Patrick Reed. “Yeah buddy! It fits!” he said.
The victory comes 14 years after the last of his Masters titles. He is now three short of the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus and is the second-oldest Masters winner after Nicklaus.
Congratulations, Tiger! To come back and win the Masters after all the highs and lows is a testament to excellence, grit, and determination.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 14, 2019
“Last year I was just very lucky to be playing again. I missed a couple of years of playing this great tournament. And to now be the champion … what, is it 22 years [since his first Masters]? It’s a long time! It’s unreal.”
Woods hugged his mother Kultida and children Sam and Charlie, who were waiting greenside, amid chants of “Tiger, Tiger” from the vast crowds thronging the green and the clubhouse.
“My mom was here, she was here in ’97 as well. I’m kind of at a loss for words. This is up there. It’s one of the hardest I’ve ever had to win. I was close last year in the majors. I learned from those, and was able to seal the deal today.”
“To have my kids there, it’s come full circle. My dad was here in 1997 and now I’m the dad with two kids there,” he said.
