Tiger Woods was moved to the brink of tears after capturing his first title since 2013 with a two-stroke triumph at the Tour Championship in Atlanta on Sunday that proved he was far from washed up at the age of 42.

After five years of complications in his personal life and injury woes, Woods reasserted his status as the best front-runner in the history of the sport, leading throughout the final round and finishing at 11-under-par 269 at East Lake.

Amid raucous scenes with the massive gallery chanting his name as they stampeded the final fairway, he raised his arms in triumph after tapping in to move within two victories of Sam Snead's all-time record of 82 PGA Tour titles.

"I was having a hard time not crying coming up the last hole," Woods said after sharing a moment of celebration with caddie Joe LaCava.

"I've been sitting on 79 (wins) for five years now. To get 80 is a pretty damn good feeling."

Woods, who carded a closing 71, walked off to a big kiss from girlfriend Erica Herman and a hug from agent Mark Steinberg as security tried to keep the fans at bay.

The victory capped off a season that started with questions over whether Woods, now 10 years removed from his 14th major title, would even be able to play a full schedule after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April 2017.