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AUGUSTA, USA: Tiger Woods is about to finish one of the biggest stories back from the sport, having found himself in the last group of Sunday (April 14) for the last round of Masters.
The 43-year-old American superstar, who once feared that back injuries would not prevent her from leading a normal life, shot Saturday at 67 under par to split second on 205 after 11 holes after 54 holes at Augusta National.
"I'm just grateful that I can come back here and play again," said Woods.
Woods, 14-time major winner who has not won a major title since the US Open 2008, is tied with fellow countryman Tony Finau, two strokes behind Italian champion Francesco Molinari. title of the British Open.
The top trio took off at 9:20 am (1:20 pm GMT) on Sunday after the Masters officials progressed early to try to finish before the expected afternoon thunderstorms.
"It's an early start," Woods said. "I will prepare the mind and body for tomorrow and I will use them a little earlier than usual."
And Woods admits that there is tension as he tries to catch a major drought of 11 years.
"I still feel pressure," he said. "The day I do not feel pressured, it's the day I stop.If you care about something, you're obviously going to feel some pressure."
Years of knee and back injuries have propelled the former world number one in the ranks of other players, but have failed. At one point, the simple acts were painful. A return to the form of golf seemed an impossible dream.
Four-time Masters champion, Woods, who has not won a green jacket since 2005, underwent a final spinal fusion surgery in April 2017, which has revived the golf player's dominant career for 20 years .
Woods, who had never won a major title after 54 holes, played in the British Open before winning the title before Molinari won his first major at Carnoustie. He made one last charge at the PGA Championship but was rejected by Brooks Koepka.
Woods then made his biggest breakthrough so far, winning five years of drought by winning the circuit title for his 80th career title at the US PGA – two less than Sam Snead's all-time record.
"Last year was a step in the right direction and we built a season around that and here we are," said Woods.
"It's been a while since I'm not in the running, but again, the last two tournaments count for something.
"I've been in the mix with a chance to win major championships in the last two years, and that helps."
The awakening of Tigre
Roars for Woods showed supporters of Augusta National that they were supporting his bid and that they were huge on Saturday, but Woods needed a new brainstorming after a bogey in fifth place.
"Be patient, very simple," Woods tells himself. "The golf course is definitely a great game, a lot of scores have gone in. Let the round go, we have a long way to go."
Woods replied by scoring birdies on the next three holes and escaped three more on the 13th and 15th par-5 and 16th par-3 to briefly share the lead.
"I'm just making sure to stay at double-digit (below par) .It was the goal, make sure you can double the numbers and I'm able to do it."
Woods won his first major title at Augusta National in 1997, won four consecutive major victories here in 2001 and also won the title in 2002 and 2005. His knowledge of the course is crucial to his chances.
"I do not need to go after every flag, just put the ball in the right place so I can have a look and putts put in," Woods said.
"If I give myself those looks in the same way that I hit my lines, everything will be fine."
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