That is how Tiger Woods attempted to describe an extraordinary Sunday. A fifth green jacket, his first major win in 11 years; a story that the world had resigned itself to never seeing again.
It has already been coined by many as the greatest sporting comeback of them all — a journey that has included career-saving spinal fusion surgery and a tumultuous series of personal problems that threatened to bring an end to the career of a golfing icon.
As he completed a composed two-putt on the 18th for — almost certainly — the greatest bogey of his distinguished career, he thrust his arms aloft, his club above his head. He gave a trademark fist-pump, before taking the acclaim of his playing partners, all accompanied by a fervent roar from an adoring public.
Then, he found his family. It was an image for the ages — the completion of a cycle that many feared would never reach its natural end. Woods famously embraced his late father Earl after winning his first Masters in 1997. Now, Woods — the father — was embracing his children, his mother, his girlfriend and anyone else in his vicinity.
“I did the same thing to my dad and now I’m the dad with my son doing the same thing,” he reflected to CNN’s Andy Scholes. “It’s amazing how life evolves, changes.
“That was 22 years ago, when my dad was there and then now my son’s there, my daughter was there, my mom’s there. My mom was there 22 years ago and the fact that she’s still around, still kicking, still fighting, goes to show you her resiliency.
“It’s hard to comprehend right now. I mean, honestly, it’s only been a few hours out of winning the tournament. I’m still trying to enjoy it and figure out that I actually won it.
“I know I have the green jacket on but it’s just, it’s still, I think it’s going to take a little bit of time to sink in.”
The battle for glory
Midway through Woods’ fourth round, it was a dream that looked like coming up short. Francesco Molinari — the American’s scourge at the 2018 Open Championship — looked like holding him off yet again.
But as the Italian found water on the perilous 12th hole and Woods located the heart of the green, it represented a changing of the tide rarely seen. A path opened up and the atmosphere on the famous old course changed as Augusta’s patrons began not just to hope, but to believe.
Woods, of course, had never lost faith. Champions always believe, and there have been few serial winners more ruthless than this golfer, whose significance has long since transcended the game of golf.
