Woods faced some challenges throughout the tournament, but he managed to hold off Hideki Matsuyama at the Narashino Country Club with a final three-under 67. This event was the first time the PGA Tour competed in Japan. Because of bad weather, Woods had to wrap up his final seven holes on Monday, finishing with a 19-under 261. This victory comes shortly after he recovered from left knee surgery two months prior. To put his age in context, Sam Snead was 52 during his last victory in North Carolina in 1965, significantly older than Woods is currently. During a greenside chat, Woods remarked, “This was big.”
“It’s just wild. It's a lot to take in. I've always aimed for consistency to keep myself in winning positions, but spending five days as the leader is mentally draining and stressful,” Woods explained. This victory is a testament to the 43-year-old's resilience. Since returning to the game nearly two years ago—following a 2017 spinal fusion that ended his debilitating back and leg pain—he has won several times, reviving a career that seemed destined for an early end. His journey with the PGA Tour began in Las Vegas in 1996, the year he turned pro, leading up to his 82nd career win in April.
Ever the competitor, Woods' week started rocky with three consecutive bogeys. It initially looked like he might struggle to regain his form after nine weeks of inactivity. However, he bounced back with two rounds of 64 to build a two-shot lead and pushed through a grueling 29-hole Sunday to set the stage for Monday's finale.
Neither a fourth knee operation nor the chaos of Tropical Storm Bualoi—which forced a complete washout on Friday—could stop Woods from etching his name further into the history books. Jordan Spieth noted the magnitude of the achievement, stating that it's hard to imagine anyone arguing that Woods isn't the greatest to ever play. The feat defies standard comparisons; while Sam Snead was 52 when he won his 82nd event in 1965 during the twilight of his career, Woods achieved this at 43, appearing both timeless and seasoned in 2019.