Phil Mickelson’s napkin note for Tiger Woods following 2019 Masters win

One year on from Tiger Woods’ unforgettable Masters victory, a note scribbled on a napkin from one of his biggest rivals has been unearthed.

Phil Mickelson's note to Tiger Woods following the 2019 Masters tournament

It remains one of golf’s greatest comebacks.

One year ago today, Tiger Woods secured his fifth Green Jacket, claiming the 2019 Masters with an astonishing one-shot win. The American golf legend had not achieved the feat in 14 years.

It had been 11 years since Woods won his previous major, and was also his first victory after trailing going into the final round.

On social media, Barack Obama wrote: “Congratulations, Tiger! To come back and win the Masters after all the highs and lows is a testament to excellence, grit, and determination.”

Donald Trump tweeted: “Love people who are great under pressure. What a fantastic life comeback for a really great guy!”

The moment Tiger Woods secured his fifth Green Jacket.

The 2020 tournament was scheduled to commence on Sunday, but has been postponed to November due to the coronavirus epidemic. Instead, Woods commentated his own charge to victory in 2019 during a CBS broadcast.

To commemorate the anniversary of Woods’ incredible win, the official Masters Twitter account posted a series of behind-the-scenes photos from inside the Champions Locker Room.

Two pictures show Woods getting his Green Jacket fitted, another featuring a golden plaque on a wooden locker with the years of his previous Masters wins – 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.

But one particular photo caught the attention of golf fans around the world. Scribbled on a white napkin with black marker was a note from rival Phil Mickelson.

An unprecedented peek inside the Champions Locker Room, during the intimate moments immediately following Tiger's Masters victory. #MastersRewind pic.twitter.com/j3YDwVzSG9

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2020

“Tiger, So impressive! What a great tournament you played! So very happy for you! Phil.”

The pair’s rivalry is well-known, and some speculated on social media whether the message was an ironic jest. But a tweet posted by Mickelson last year proves his words were genuine.

What a great moment for the game of golf. I’m so impressed by @TigerWoods' incredible performance, and I'm so happy for him to capture another Green Jacket. Truly a special day that will go down in history. Congratulations, Tiger! #rematch 😎

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) April 14, 2019

Mickelson was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012 and has won three Masters tournaments of his own, the most recent in 2010.

Woods reflected on the 2019 Masters during an emotional interview on Monday.

“It was so special for all of us because they had seen me — people know and laugh and joke that with my kids, I was a YouTube golfer,” Woods said.

“I wasn’t the golfer that played golf anymore. I was that dude on TV that they could make fun of. ‘Oh, look at the shot you could hit then. Look at the shot you could do then.’ Well, they got a chance to witness it.

“To have mum still there … people remember the hug with my dad, but my mum was there and she is here 22 years later with the same hug.

“It was so special for all of us.”

Originally published as Phil Mickelson’s napkin note for Tiger Woods following 2019 Masters win