Nothing better than being back at The Masters and hanging out under the old oak tree by the clubhouse!
The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday practice rounds and Par-3 Tournament were memorable for a lot of reasons but in the end just a prelude to Tiger’s redemptive win—perhaps the biggest of his amazing career which now stands at 15 Career Majors and 81 PGA TOUR wins!
2019 Masters Monday: Walking the Second Nine at Augusta National Golf Club!
2019 Masters Tuesday: Walking the First Nine at Augusta National Golf Club!
2019 Masters Wednesday: Jack, Gary, & Tom Playing in the Par-3 Contest!
Plus, of course, a memorable night of merriment with the Tourism Ireland folks at the historic Benjamin House!
2019 Masters Thursday: Golf Ireland Party Hosted by Tourism Ireland!
Tiger Woods, 2019 Maters Champion! Photo Credit: Google Search.
I was there at the 2019 Masters to see history being made! Tiger Woods winning his fifth green jacket, 15th career major, and first since the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines—nearly eleven years ago! I was there to see Tiger making history in 2008 too! In fact, my time on tour beginning back at the 2008 Honda in February 2008 pretty much mirrors Tiger’s Major Timeout Period!
The Comeback of Tiger Woods is legendary, historic and redemptive! There were the crushing lows on and off the golf course. The injuries—overcoming the broken leg and knee injuries that came to a head in 2008 and the back injuries and successive surgeries. The foretelling triumphs—six wins in 2009 including Arnold & Jack’s tournaments—ZERO wins in 2010 and 2011—three wins in 2012 including Arnold’s, Jack’s, and his own tournament—FIVE wins in 2013 including THE PLAYERS Championship and the WGC Bridgestone Invitational –ZERO wins in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017—won the Tour Championship at Eastlake in September 2018 amidst a fairway of followers on the par-5 18th fairway—and the first Major of the year, the 2019 Masters Invitational Tournament in April 2019.
Tiger hugging lady, daughter Sam nearby and Andy in blue shirt in background! What a thrill to witness history! Photo Credit: Unknown.
Once Jack and Gary hit their ceremonial tee shots first thing Thursday morning, the golfing competition for the 2019 Masters began. As the week progressed, the headlines of the Masters Section of the Augusta Chronicle told the story of the previous day’s round:
Thursday, Round 1: “Ahead of the Pack;” Bryson DeChambeau who birdied six of the final seven holes and Brooks Koepka who had the only bogey-free round of the day both shot 6-under 66s. Patient Rahm right where he needs to be; shooting a 3-under 69, his best opening round in three Masters appearances. Ian Poulter keeps it all together for a top-five start (4-under 68, T4). Dustin Johnson shot 68, tied for fourth place. Back-nine charge (birdied 4 of the last 6 holes) nets Mickelson 67. Patient Aphibarnrat catches fire late with eagle on No. 13 and back-to-back birdies on Nos 15 and 16; final six holes in 4-under. McIlroy to regroup after 6-bogey round. Patient approach working for Fowler (70, T11). Hovland shoots 72 to lead amateurs. Top-ranked Rose struggles in first round (75). Spieth struggles (75). Day’s back (70). Corey Connors (Monday Qualifier at and Winner of the Valero Texas Open and the last to be invited to play in the Masters) enjoying unexpected appearance (70). Adam Scott shoots opening-round 69. Poor finish (bogeys 3 of final 4 holes) mars Howell’s round. Reed begins defense with 73. Kisner scrambles to stay near top of leaderboard (69). Iron play hurts Mize (77). Justin Harding shines in first round (69). Woods satisfied with his start (70, T11).
Tiger hugging Mom! Andy in the background! Redemption on many, many levels for Tiger! TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)! Photo Credit: Unknown.
Friday, Round 2: “One Slammed Leaderboard;” Five Major Winners share top spot at 7-under (Brooks Koepka, Jason Day, Louis Oosthuizen, Francesco Molinari, and Adam Scott) share top spot, with Tiger close behind (one stroke). Koepka rights the ship late (66-71). Day bounces back, grabs share of lead (70-67). Oosthuizen shoots 66 with hot putter to grab tie for lead (71-66). Molinari makes move in bogey-free round (70-67). Scott hopes to stay consistent (69-68). Woods one shot from top (70-68).
NIKE Dad Tiger & NIKE Son Charlie celebrating his 5th Masters Win! Andy in the background! Photo Credit: Unknown.
Harding in the hunt at 6-under (69-69). Poulter stays in striking distance (68-71). Mickelson chases victory, history (oldest winner of major). Rahm nears top of leaderboard at 5-under (69-70). Schauffele roars for tourney-best 65 (73-65). Zach Johnson’s miscue (hit ball with driver while taking a practice swing on the 13th tee) worth a good laugh. McIlroy seven back of leaders. Top-ranked Rose misses cut for first time. Woosnam calls it quits- again. Four amateurs (Takumi Kanaya, Viktor Howland, Alvaro Ortiz, and Devon Bling) make the cut. Past champion Langer makes weekend again. Friday frustrating for DeChambeau (66-75). Spieth rebounds from rough start in Round 2 (75-68). 1987 champ Mize misses cut. Howell cards best round at Masters (73-67). Reed gains ground Friday (73-70). After a wild round, Kisner still in hunt (69-73).
Saturday, Round 3: “Molinari (-13, 70-67-66) stays the course,” British Open champ leads Woods (-11), Finau (-11). Trio of 64s make history—Stellar Saturday puts Webb Simpson in contention (-9, 72-71-64)—Finau in final group after record-tying 30 on front nine (-11, 71-70-64)—Cantlay nearly ties tournament record (-6, 73-73-64). Woods in hunt for fifth Masters (70-68-67). Even after all this time, Tiger’s vibe draws patrons.
Tiger Woods eagles the 18th on Saturday at Torrey Pines in the 2008 U.S. Open. Andy in background with arms raised for ‘Victory!” Tiger would birdie the 18th on Sunday to force a playoff, birdie it in the Monday 18-hole playoff to force sudden death and then par the 7th, the next playoff hole to WIN! Photo Credit: Unknown.
Dustin Johnson is still lurking (-8, 68-70-70). Ian Poulter keeps himself in mix (-9, 68-71-68). Kuchar rallies with back nine birdie streak (-8, 71-69-68). Rookie Harding hangs on (-8, 69-69-70). ‘Hiccups’ hurt Schauffele in 70 (-8, 73-65-70). Day (-6, 70-67-73), Scott (-7, 69-68-72) can’t get moving. Fowler patient, but must start fast today to stay in contention (-7, 70-71-68). Rahm loses ground with Saturday 71 (-6, 69-70-71). Mickelson laments missed opportunity (-6, 67-73-70). Oosthuizen slips, stays in hunt (-8, 71, 66-71). Koepka has shot at another major (-10, 66-71-69). Looks like a no-go on repeat for Reed (+1, 73-70-74). Cold putter costs Howell (E, 73-67-976). Kisner loses ground in third (-2, 69-73-72).
Amateurs: Hovland still learning course (-2, 72-71-71)—Aggressive style pays off for Kanaya (-1, 73-74-68)—Ortiz goes through up-and-down round (+1, 73-71-73)—Bling shoots his best round yet (+2, 74-73-71).
Weather moves up tee times for final round. Players will go off both No. 1 and No. 10 tees in threesomes. The first groups will go off at 7:30 am, and the leaders will tee off at 9:20.
Hello from Founders Circle in front of the Clubhouse at Augusta National!
Happy Masters Sunday! WOW, what an exciting Masters! Wet Monday & Tuesday practice rounds; a sunny day on Wednesday for the Par-3 Contest; Koepka & DeChambeau opening 66s on Thursday; Schauffele’s 65 was the low round on Friday but still was one stroke shy of the record 5-way tie for the lead after 36 holes at 7-under between Oosthuizen, Molinari, DJ, Scott, & Day. Tiger’s 70-68 start had him at 6-under as well. There was a late half-hour weather delay but everybody finished. Saturday brought a record three 64s by Cantlay (T14), Simpson (T5), & Tony Finau (T2) though Molinari (66) leads Finau and Tiger (67) by two strokes at 11-under going into Masters Sunday. A memorable Masters finish is already guaranteed with golfers going out in pairings of three off both the first & tenth tees starting at 7:30 am to beat approaching severe weather! Let’s hope we beat it with good wishes for all golfers to play their best! Who will win the 2019 Masters? My hope is Tiger Woods! How about you? (Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post; Saturday, 4-13-19)
Sunday, Final Round: “Hear Him Roaring!”
Final Group off No. 1 at 9:20 am: Francesco Molinari (-13); Tony Finau (-11); and Tiger Woods (-11).
Penultimate Group off No. 1 at 9:09: Brooks Koepka (-10); Webb Simpson (-9); and Ian Poulter (-9).
DeChambeau aces the par-3 16th hole; his first-ever hole-in-one! Molinari going for a record-tying 50th consecutive non-bogey hole, bogeys the 7th and Tiger birdies for a 2-stroke swing to get within one stroke of Molinari. Both birdie the par-5 8th hole.
Sunday Second Nine where The Masters begins… and ends!
Tiger bogeys No. 10; falls two strokes behind.
Poulter (-7/12) and Koepka (-9/12) in the group ahead both find water and double bogey the par-3 12th hole. Koepka recovers with an eagle on No. 13.
Molinari (-11/12) and Finau (-8/12) playing with Tiger both find water and double bogey the par-3 12th hole. Tiger pars and is at even par for the round and is at 11-under same as Koepka after his eagle on No. 13.
Finau would birdie three of his last six holes and finish at 11-under in a four-way tie for fifth with Molinari, Jason Day and Webb Simpson.
Jon Rahm nearly aces the par-3 16th hole, then his playing partner Justin Thomas does!
Cantlay, the low am in 2012, eagles the 15th to lead the Masters at -12 through 15 holes.
Schauffele birdies 13 and 14 to tie Cantlay at 12-under.
Cantlay, who was 9 strokes back going into the weekend, bogeys the 16th , bogeys the 17th and pars the 18th to shoot a Sunday 68 and finish T9 at 10-under par.
Molinari and Woods birdie the par-5 13th hole to get in a 3-way tie for the lead with Schauffele who fails to birdie the par-5 15th hole and settles for a par.
It was at this point that I realized the gum-chewing, red mock turtleneck, vintage his Masters win in 2005 was going to win his fifth Masters!
Jason Day birdies the home hole to post 11-under and becomes the new clubhouse leader.
Dustin Johnson birdies the 17th to get to 12-under.
Now there are five golfers tied at 12-under: Woods, Molinari, Koepka, Schauffele and DJ.
Schauffele makes a 7-footer for par on the 16th and pars the 17th and 18th to finish at 12-under and tied for second with DJ (who pars the 18th) and Koepka (who finished with all pars except a birdie on the 15th after his eagle on the 13th).
Woods reaches the par-5 15th in two swings and two putts from 40-feet for a birdie and the lead at 13-under.
Molinari also finds water and double bogeys the 15th, the other par-5 on Augusta National’s second nine; after clipping a tree limb with his approach to the green. He would shot a Sunday 74 and finish T5.
Tiger nearly aces the 16th and taps in for a deuce and a two-stroke lead with two holes to play and nobody behind him with more holes to play than he.
The 14-time Major Champion and 80-time winner on the PGA TOUR pars the 17th and takes his two stroke lead to the 18th tee. His drive is right on 18 and he fans an 8-iron short right; chips up and two putts for the safe bogey and Masters Win!
Though tied for 47th in fairways hit (67%), Tiger was No. 1 in greens hit in regulation for the final round and for the week at Augusta National.
His 14-year gap between Masters Wins surpasses Jack’s 11 years previous record.
Tiger wins his first major after trailing after 54 holes.
Watch out for Tiger—he is back, completely back and ROARING!
2008 PLAYERS: Tiger Woods Admits Jack Nicklaus Forever Better than Me
But remember he once said Jack is the all-time best but that was said a long time ago…
Congratulations Tiger Woods on winning your 5th Masters, 15th Career Major, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom!
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
Spoke to @TigerWoods to congratulate him on the great victory he had in yesterday’s @TheMasters, & to inform him that because of his incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE, I will be presenting him with the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM! 1:35 PM – Apr 15, 2019
Andy Reistetter is feeling blissful at Augusta National Golf Club.
April 14 at 5:23 PM · Augusta, GA ·
What a Masters! Congratulations Tiger Woods! Exciting, riveting, & historic!
Andrea Reistetter Harris Michael P. Reistetter Daria Anne Hirtz anyone know this guy?!
Andy Reistetter you had the best seat in the house! God is good eh?
Great to see local boy Andy Reistetter in the background as Tiger celebrates his win at the Masters. Who has it better than you Andy?
Malinda Schindler to Andy Reistetter
I see you Andy!!!!
Melissa Teske to Andy Reistetter
I wasn’t too far off when I referred to you as Mr. Hollywood – there you are, standing in the midst of it all at The Masters – a historical moment!
Michelle Perski to Andy Reistetter
I saw you on tv! Congrats to Tiger! And way to go Andy, following your dream all these years!
I have to say…Andy Reistetter I love this picture of a man and his mother with so much expression and passion..and YOU in the background….what an awesome life you lead to be able to witness these things…see you soon!!!
What an amazing moment for you Andy to be standing right there. Wow!
Thanks for all the Facebook Comments—they are included below the Photo Gallery!
Jeff Hughes Jr. I’ll see you out on the course tomorrow…I’ll be escorting a player through all 18 holes
Melissa Teske Ok Mr Hollywood – looking good!
Anthony Quagliata Tiger!!!
Peter Benn gonna be an early start mate
Debra Cottrell Looking great!
Byron Bos You made every highlight package in the world yesterday
Ian Harris Jon Harris you notice this guy in the background?!
Andrea Reistetter Harris Andy Reistetter. awesome!
Edward M. Reistetter Favor!
Andy Reistetter God is Great! Andrea Reistetter Harris Michael P. Reistetter Daria Anne Hirtz Ian Harris WOW, you guys don’t miss a thing! Who taught you how to watch golf like that! I know! George, Andy, & Leonard!
Tom Lamphere Who is he Fred??
Andy Reistetter Thank you for the kind words Fred Shaheen & Robin Fellows! Tom Lamphere, let’s tee it up up at Ely Park this summer!http://www.elyparkgolfcourse.com/
Robin Fellows Lol! You don’t want to see my golf game. Its lame. I only like and use 2 clubs. Driver and putter. Not because I go from tee to green. No. I’m an idiot with a wedge. Lol!
Tom Lamphere Are you Larry’s brother???? He bought my Grandparent’s house back in 1977…
Michael J. Corrao History in the making Andrew “We Did It Mom”!
Larry Sansky Great photo bomb
Debra Cottrell What a great day for golf ⛳️
Tessa A Mollric Amazing day for Golf !
Oh the power of love courage , forgiveness and redemption.
Valerie Tidwell So glad you were able to be there for this historical moment.
Bev Mosteller-Bertok Amazing! Glad you were there to witness history! Great day for golf!
Michael McMillan Oh wow!! That’s amazing!
Jane Spicer So exciting!
Connie Cossar And the crowd goes wild !!
So happy for him
Jeff Hughes Jr. I thought that was you in the blue…i was standing right next to you
BJ Smyth Andy I spotted you behind Tigers family on tv today. I see you got the clip
Debbie Howard Benzley Wow look at you front row…so happy you got witness history!!
Bill Willhoit I told my wife it was you when I was watching! Great to see you in action.
Tom Brewster Funny I was watching you as it was happening. This was definitely one of your Forrest Gump moments.
Karen K Hayt So so HAPPY ❤️❤️
Scott Robbins You show up in all the good places!
April Ann Wow
Kim Hastert Love IT
John Henebry Wow ! Andy and you got to be there !! How great was that??
John Henebry Forest Gump
Sam Keiffer Thought I saw you
Monica Glickman Wow, thanks for sharing!
Andy Reistetter Tiger’s last major win, 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines and yours truly, Forest Gump of Golf, was there too!
Matthew Cyberski I thought that was you! Amazing you were that close to sports history of the games living legend!
Kim Hastert Awesome sauce with a cherry on top.
I just realized that you are just in the picture Andy Reistetter
Bonus cool points.
Peter Harris REALLY AWESOME and HISTORIC……..POWER OF PERSISTENCE
Peter Harris Andy…….You Witnessed Sports History……REALLY SPECIAL…..
Marie Lyon Carney The sound of silence and them came the roars and cheers! So happy for you that you got to be there.
Leslie Hale Weed I immediately recognized You Andy Reistetter!
Wow! Awesome!! ⛳️
Susie O’Dell I met his mom on a Mother’s Day at TPC Sawgrass. She was sitting under a tree reading a book waiting on Tiger. I complimented her shoes and then realized who she was. Very pleasant. I told her I too was waiting for her son.
April Ann I used to hike at Torrey Pines to the beach.
Nick Brewster Photo bomber!
Corry Schiermeyer I saw you while watching on TV. How exciting and awesome!
Keith Chesk and you want to be at Ely when your at the masters!!! lol
Andy Reistetter Keith Chesk Oh no, have to be at Augusta National for The Masters! Love Ely Park for its spectacular views, sporty design, tasty spiedie salads but its only social golf!
Joanne Reistetter Ehrlich Andy, I had to share this great pic.
Pat Wilson Hi Andy I saw you whilst watching it live here in Australia. I got pretty stoked.
Good stuff mate
⛳️ ⛳️
Edward M. Reistetter How come you did not get a Tiger hug? LOL!
Andy Reistetter Good catch Malinda Schindler! Thanks for sharing!
Katherine Deen Way I sent you a few screen shots last night of this. Did you get them? They are good!
Andy Reistetter Right on Melissa Teske from someone who knows LA Baby!
Andy Reistetter Woo Hoo Tiger did it Michelle Perski! I am following, yes I am! TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)!!!
Andy Reistetter See you soon Joan E.Davis! Great commentary! Someone should give you a microphone!
Nancy Reistetter Ryan That’s my cousin Andy is blue
Andrea Reistetter Harris awesome Andy Reistetter!
Nancy Reistetter Ryan I even saw you when they televised this moment
Wow were you close!!!!!!
