The 14-time major winner was in control in Atlanta across the full weekend and ended 11-under after a one-over 71 in the fourth and final round.
Woods narrowly missed out on the season-long FedEx Cup after applying late pressure to world No 1 Justin Rose, the Englishman birdieing hole 18 for a $ 10million (£7.6m) pay-day.
Yet he secured his win with a par on the final hole to huge cheers from the crowd before receiving congratulations from Rory McIlroy.
But he topped the field to win his first tournament since the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in 2013.
It marks an incredible return to form for the 42-year-old, who was willed on by thousands of fans at East Lake desperate to witness Woods end his long wait for a triumph.
Less than a year ago, multiple back operations left Woods on the verge of quitting competitive golf altogether with the American sat 1,199 in the PGA Tour rankings just last December.
But he has since enjoyed an incredible return having briefly led the Open Championship before finishing as runner-up at the US PGA Championship.
Yet he was at his dominant best at the Tour Championship to finish two shots clear of former FedEx Cup winner Billy Herschel on nine-under.
This win gives Woods his 80th PGA Tour success to take him just two shy of drawing level with all-time leader Sam Snead, who amassed 82 titles.
Reflecting on his win, Woods said: “I was having a hard time not crying. I just can’t believe I pulled this off. It’s been tough
“I’ve had a not so easy last couple years.
“I couldn’t have done it without the help of everyone around me and some of the players that I saw after on the 18th green knew what I was struggling with.
“It was really special to see them there. It’s just hard to believe I’ve won the Tour Championship.
“It was just a grind out there. I loved every bit of it, the fight, the grind and the tough conditions. I had to suck it up and hit the shots.
“At the beginning of the year, it was a tall order but as the year progressed and I proved I could play, I knew I could do it again.”
Woods returns to action at the Ryder Cup next weekend with his incredible form a huge boost for Team USA as they look for a second straight win over Team Europe for the first time since 1993.
