AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - Tiger Woods won the Masters and nearly stopped the Twitterverse in its tracks.
There were shout-outs from two presidents who have played with the five-time champion, congrats from a cavalcade of actors and musicians and most fitting, perhaps, were the celebratory toasts from a parade of A-list athletes including Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant and Serena Williams.
___
“Congratulations, Tiger!” former President Barack Obama tweeted . “To come back and win the Masters after all the highs and lows is a testament to excellence, grit, and determination.”
___
President Donald Trump, who’s visited his branded golf courses more 150 times since taking office, watched Woods cruise toward victory from his course in Virginia.
“Watching final hole of @TheMasters. @TigerWoods is looking GREAT!”
A moment later, after Woods’ final putt dropped on 18, Trump added from the presidential limousine : “Love people who are great under pressure. What a fantastic life comeback for a really great guy!”
___
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who won a record sixth Super Bowl this past February, joked that he was plotting how to match the number of major golf championships Woods has now accumulated .
“Running the numbers on how long it’ll take me to get to 15…”
Brady explained his non-stop tweeting, saying the final round of the Masters was his only “couch day of the year.”
___
In the NBA, LeBron James said he was “inspired” by Tiger’s win .
Portland coach Terry Stotts was into the action even though his team was preparing for a playoff game .
Golden State’s Stephen Curry, who played last night, called it the “greatest comeback story in sports.”
___
Even Serena Williams took a break from partying at tennis player Caroline Wozniacki’s bachelorette party in the Bahamas to congratulate Woods .
“I am literally in tears watching @TigerWoods this is Greatness like no other. Knowing all you have been through physically to come back and do what you just did today? Wow Congrats a million times! I am so inspired thank you buddy.”
___
Actor Hugh Jackman sent his congrats from a less-exotic locale. He took a selfie in front of a TV screen, apparently at home, showing Woods in the background walking up the fairway en route to his win .
“What a comeback!!!” he gushed. “Congrats @GCTigerTracker on winning @TheMasters”
___
It wasn’t just Americans enthralled with Tiger’s comeback story. The BBC led its evening news broadcast with news of his fifth green jacket .
___
For more AP golf coverage: https://apnews.com/apf-Golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Please read our comment policy before commenting.