Augusta - President Donald Trump and former president Barack Obama were among those who hailed Tiger Woods on social media after his thrilling and emotional Masters victory on Sunday.

tweeted the US president Trump, who played a round of golf with Woods earlier this year.

former president Obama tweeted.

As Woods went on a charge on the back nine at Augusta National with birdies at 13, 15 and 16 to win by a stroke and claim his 15th major and fifth Masters, social media lit up in a frenzy of congratulations.

tweeted 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion Serena Williams.

Fellow golfers and former greats of the game were also quick to hail Woods' achievement in returning to the summit of the sport after multiple surgeries and a string of off-course problems since his 14th major win at the 2008 US Open.

Just two years ago his back pain was so bad Woods thought he might never play again, let alone win another major.

tweeted four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, who finished in a tie for 21st on Sunday.

added McIlroy after an emotional Woods hugged his mother, children and partner Erica Herman after his winning putt.

Aged 43, Woods became the second-oldest Masters winner, trailing only Jack Nicklaus who won at 46 in 1986.

said Nicklaus on social media.

Woods also set a record for the longest gap between Masters triumphs, the 14 years since his last win in 2005 eclipsing the old mark set by South African Gary Player who won his second Augusta crown in 1961 and his third in 1974.

said South African legend Player.

Other US sports stars were quick to join in.

NBA icon Magic Johnson tweeted.

the New England Patriots' six-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady said.

said three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry.

Woods finally found time to respond to all his well-wishers late on Sunday night.

he posted on his Twitter feed, @TigerWoods, along with a picture of him wearing his newest of five green jackets.