Some of the most iconic moments in golf have come from players who refused to quit when the odds were stacked against them.
The PGA Tour has seen countless tight finishes, but the most memorable ones feature dramatic rallies that left fans stunned. These comebacks highlight not only skill, but grit, mental toughness, and the belief that one swing can change everything.
From legendary names to surprising underdogs, each moment reminds fans why golf thrives on unpredictability. These storied rebounds still inspire players and fans across the country.
Let’s break it down.
Tiger Woods’ comeback win at the 2019 Masters
Tiger Woods’ 2019 Masters triumph stands as one of the greatest comebacks in golf history.
Even though the Masters isn’t a PGA Tour–run event, it remains a central part of the professional golf landscape, and Woods’ victory was historic across the sport. After years of back injuries and surgeries, he surged on Sunday with precise irons and clutch putting.
His back-nine charge turned Augusta National into a roar reminiscent of his early dominance. Fans watched him step into the 18th green with a lead that once felt impossible. The win marked his first major in 11 years and cemented his legacy as the greatest comeback golfer of the modern era.
Jordan Spieth’s stunning rally at the 2017 Travelers Championship
Jordan Spieth delivered one of the most electric PGA Tour finishes in years at the 2017 Travelers Championship.
Leading earlier in the week, Spieth stumbled on the back nine Sunday, opening the door for Daniel Berger. The two went to a playoff that ended with one of the most creative bunker shots ever seen.
Spieth blasted from the sand and holed it, celebrating with caddie Michael Greller in a chest-bump heard around the sports world. It wasn’t a comeback over the field, but a comeback under intense pressure. His ability to recover after losing momentum made the finish unforgettable.
Justin Thomas’s charge at the 2022 PGA Championship
Justin Thomas pulled off an incredible rally from seven shots back to win the 2022 PGA Championship.
He entered Sunday needing a flawless round, and he delivered exactly that. His precise ball-striking and confident putting helped him apply pressure as a leader; Mito Pereira struggled down the stretch.
Thomas forced a playoff, then stayed locked in to claim his second major title. It was one of the biggest final-round comebacks in the event’s history. His calm under pressure and late-round patience defined the moment.
Rory McIlroy’s final-round push at the 2022 Tour Championship
Rory McIlroy erased a six-shot deficit to win the 2022 Tour Championship and capture the FedExCup.
Starting the day behind Scottie Scheffler, McIlroy stayed aggressive from the first tee. His early birdies and Scheffler’s struggles tightened the leaderboard almost immediately.
McIlroy kept his pace steady through East Lake’s demanding closing holes. His controlled driving and clutch par saves helped him secure the win and an $18 million prize. It remains one of the biggest final-round swings in FedExCup history.
Camilo Villegas’ emotional comeback victory in 2023
Camilo Villegas delivered one of the most heartfelt comebacks with his win at the 2023 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
After years of struggling to regain his PGA Tour status, Villegas entered the week playing with renewed purpose. His sharp ball-striking and composed putting kept him in contention through all four rounds.
The victory came more than nine years after his last Tour win. It marked a personal and professional comeback for a player who endured unimaginable heartbreak following the loss of his young daughter. Fans celebrated not just the score, but the resilience behind it.
Steve Stricker’s comeback season in 2009
Steve Stricker’s 2009 season marked a career-defining resurgence on the PGA Tour.
After losing his Tour card earlier in his career and rebuilding his swing, he returned with renewed confidence. He won three times that season, climbing back near the top of the world rankings.
Stricker’s precision and putting consistency became his trademarks. His turnaround wasn’t about one event; it was a full-season comeback. Fans respected his quiet determination and steady play.
Brandt Snedeker’s miracle win at the 2016 Farmers Insurance Open
Brandt Snedeker pulled off a once-in-a-generation comeback in brutal weather at Torrey Pines.
He posted a final-round 69 in extreme wind and rain, a score that seemed impossible under the conditions. Most of the field collapsed later that afternoon, causing Snedeker to rise steadily up the leaderboard.
Players battled gusts that blew balls off greens and made even short putts unpredictable. Snedeker’s earlier round suddenly became the best score of the day by far. His perseverance earned him one of the Tour’s most weather-defying wins ever.
Patrick Cantlay’s playoff comeback at the 2021 BMW Championship
Patrick Cantlay’s duel with Bryson DeChambeau in 2021 produced an instant classic.
Cantlay started Sunday a few shots back but caught fire with his putting. His confident stroke kept him alive through a marathon six-hole playoff.
DeChambeau repeatedly had chances to win but couldn’t convert. Cantlay stayed composed, sinking clutch putts under pressure. He sealed the win and set the stage for his eventual FedExCup title.
Vijay Singh’s late-career resurgence in the mid-2000s
Vijay Singh delivered one of the most dominant late-career stretches in PGA Tour history.
After turning 40, Singh posted multiple wins, including nine in 2004 alone. It was a massive comeback for a veteran competing against rising stars.
His tireless work ethic and practice routines became legendary. Singh claimed the world No. 1 ranking during this period. His surge proved that age doesn’t define a golfer’s prime.
Conclusion
PGA Tour history is filled with comebacks that remind fans why golf is never over until the final putt drops.
Whether sparked by momentum, heart, or pure belief, each rally left a mark on the sport. These stories continue to fuel new generations of players aiming for their own shot at redemption.
And for fans, they’re a reminder that every tournament—no matter the leaderboard—can turn into something unforgettable.
TL;DR
- Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, and others delivered iconic PGA Tour comebacks.
- Many victories came from large deficits or intense playoff moments.
- Emotional rallies, like Camilo Villegas’ 2023 win, added powerful meaning to the sport.
- These comebacks highlight the unpredictability and drama that define professional golf.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
