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With Masters victory, Tiger knows he can 'win majors now'

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Tiger Woods claimed his 15th career major and fifth green jacket Sunday, a win that moves him one step closer to Jack Nicklaus' all-time record of 18.

Catching Jack seemed unattainable for a long time, as Tiger's career had been sidetracked by one serious injury after another since winning his last major at the 2008 U.S Open. But after defeating a star-studded field with the game's biggest names littering the leaderboard beneath him, Tiger learned a valuable lesson that could lead to even more captivating major championships.

"I can win majors now," he said during his post-victory press conference, grinning ear-to-ear while wearing his newest green jacket.

"My last three major championships have been pretty good," he added. "So that in itself gives me a lot of confidence going down the road."

Woods finished runner-up in the 2018 PGA Championship and held the lead during the final round of The Open.

However, Tiger's first valuable lesson in his journey back to the top was his win at the 2018 Tour Championship, a victory that opened the door to what unfolded Sunday at Augusta National.

"The win at East Lake was a big confidence booster for me because I'd come close last year a couple of times, but you still need to cross the finish line," Woods said.

And now that he's crossed the finish line twice since his last PGA Tour win in 2013, Tiger can turn his attention to the season's remaining majors.

No. 16 could come sooner rather than later for Woods, as the next two major championships will be contested at venues he's won at in the past, with Bethpage Black hosting the PGA Championship in May and the U.S. Open heading to Pebble Beach in June.

As for Tiger's chances of reaching 18 majors after his latest Masters win, Nicklaus said, "He's got me shaking in my boots."

Tiger's officially back ... and he's coming for Jack.

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