It was an extraordinary performance made more so for what, to Tiger Woods, must have seemed like an increasingly suffocating atmosphere of growing expectation. Could he really do it?

Yes, yes he could.

Winning his fifth Masters on Sunday, Woods thus also secured his fifteenth win of a major. It was his first in 11 years. The beauty of Woods' performance in Augusta, Ga. is made more special by its uniquely American character.

Because it's a story of redemption — of a player who just a few years ago seemed like he might not ever win a major again, and whom some foolish souls ruled out. While the media speculation and whispering has occasionally gotten to Woods since 2008, he has never allowed it to triumph over him. Offering a greater engagement with his fans but maintaining consistent in his desire for privacy, Woods kept his focus tight and his swing loose, simply playing the game. The hard work has paid off.

We just saw that in Woods' performance over the past four days: calm, relentless, and ruthless. When the time came on Sunday, Woods surged forwards, imitated the tiger, and seized his prey — another glorious green jacket. Francesco Molinari played with superb skill, but this weekend, neither he nor anyone else was good enough.

Popular opinion and capitalism will join together to drive the game of golf and Tiger's own fortune to even greater heights. How many more majors can Tiger now win? The man who changed the green jacket and golf forever has once again delivered his chosen game a majestic new chapter.