Eighteen-time major winner Jack Nicklaus hailed Tiger Woods' "fantastic" Masters victory after watching him complete a remarkable comeback story with a fifth success at Augusta.

Woods' victory by one shot secured a 15th major title, leaving him three behind Nicklaus' all-time record.

It was Woods' first major in over a decade after multiple back surgeries and personal issues looked to have cut short his pursuit of Nicklaus – and at one point his career.

"A big 'well done' from me to @Tiger Woods!" Nicklaus wrote on Twitter.

"I am so happy for him and for the game of golf. This is just fantastic."

And Woods' great rival and Ryder Cup team-mate Phil Mickelson soon joined in, cheekily suggesting a rematch of the US dollar nine million challenge match they played last November – which Mickelson won.

"What a great moment for the game of golf," Mickelson wrote. "I'm so impressed by @TigerWoods' incredible performance, and I'm so happy for him to capture another Green Jacket.

"Truly a special day that will go down in history. Congratulations, Tiger! #rematch"

An overcome Woods celebrated victory by embracing his family.

And his former coach Butch Harmon said on Sky Sports: "I've never seen him show emotion like that. At any time, anywhere, any time in his life.

"He was humbled by his own mistakes, the things he went through he created, nobody else created them, and he came out the other side.

"He got himself help, he got his body right, he got his head right and he went to work on his game. I couldn't be happier for him and his family."

Six-time major winner Nick Faldo was commentating on CBS in the United States, and said: "That will be the greatest scene in golf forever. We will never see anything as exhilarating as that."

Reaction came from far and wide, with current and former US presidents also celebrating Woods' victory.

President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter: "Watching final hole of @TheMasters. @TigerWoods is looking GREAT!"

And his predecessor Barack Obama tweeted: "Congratulations, Tiger! To come back and win the Masters after all the highs and lows is a testament to excellence, grit, and determination."

Many were quick to ask if Woods' victory was the greatest comeback in sporting history given the hurdles he has faced and overcome since winning the US Open in 2008.

Twenty-three time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams wrote on Twitter: "I am literally in tears watching @TigerWoods this is Greatness like no other. Knowing all you have been through physically to come back and do what you just did today? Wow Congrats a million times! I am so inspired thank you buddy."

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington said on BBC Sport: "There is not a golfer in the world that isn't happy that Tiger Woods won. In the modern era he's been a golf and sport superstar.

"This comeback story will break out from golf into all sports, the news. It will be everywhere.

"There will be people who have never looked at golf and will be seeing this tomorrow and wondering what it's all about."