Tiger The Master

28 March 2024

As we approach the 2024 edition of The Masters, one name has popped up on the official entry list that has caught the eye of golfers worldwide – the ‘Master’ himself, Tiger Woods.

Did we use this as an angle to write the following article about the GOAT? Yes, yes we did, however, we’ll justify why in the next few hundred words.

Woods’ is still a firm favourite amongst our Shot Scope staff, some of whom had tipped Tiger to lift the Masters in 2019, which he duly did in some style!

So let’s take a closer look at Tiger’s love affair with Augusta National, a place where he has emerged victorious on 5 occasions; 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 & 2019. Only Jack Nicklaus has won more in Georgia, with 6 Green Jackets to his name.

We are going to take brief look at each of his 5 Masters wins so far, highlighting why every win has been significant in the game of golf, for very different reasons.

1997

Tiger’s first of 15 Major wins came in 1997, where he blew the field apart to finish with a score of 270 (-18), 12 shots clear of runner-up Tom Kite. Woods’ became the youngest ever winner of a Green Jacket at the age of 21.

Considering Woods had turned professional in August of 1996, his win in April of 1997 was truly remarkable and he would go on to become World Number 1 just two months later – the fastest ascent in the history of golf, from turning pro to becoming #1.

2001

The second Green Jacket and Tiger’s 6th Major was a similarly momentous occasion with his win completing the ‘Tiger Slam’ as it became known – winning all four Majors in a row.

Albeit not in the same calendar year – it was a first in the history of golf that has never and probably will never be equalled.

2002

Although there were no further Major wins in 2001, Woods’ would successfully defend his Green Jacket in April 2002, no mean feat and an interesting twist to the official presentation ceremony.

As we all know the tradition at Augusta National is that the former Champion presents the ‘new’ Champion with his Green Jacket, in this instance with Woods’ defending his title, The Augusta National Chairman presented Woods’ with his jacket.

Others who have successfully defended the Masters are Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo & Sam Snead.

2005

His 9th Major title is arguably remembered for one moment – that SHOT at 16, which has become one of the most iconic chips in the history of the game.

There was a deafening silence as the ‘Patrons’ watched on, with Woods’ ball trickling towards the hole, followed by a short pause and then complete euphoria as it dropped…

That birdie would all but secure his 4th Green Jacket whilst delivering a hammer-blow to the chasing pack, it was simply one of the best shots, under the conditions, you are ever likely to see.

2019

Well, what can we say, 11 years after his 14th Major win and personal battles off the course, Tiger’s win in 2019, is simply one of the best ‘comebacks’ in the history of sport, nevermind golf!

A lot had changed in the world of golf over those 11 years, but the swagger, the Sunday Red, the drives, the iron-play, the short-game, it all came together to roll back the years and give the fans the victory they so-wanted.

Many did think Tiger would kick-on and match Nicklaus’s 18 Major wins, sadly that’s never happened but if 2019 was to be the last ‘hurrah’ then what an occasion it was!

SEPTUPLE BOGEY

Is that a phrase you are familiar with? It’s not one you want to get to know, that’s for sure!

Now, whilst we want to acknowledge just how good Woods’ is around Augusta, we cannot leave out the infamous 10 at ‘Golden Bell‘ – the Par 3 12th that plays around 150-155 yards.

This second hole of Amen Corner is where Tiger made the highest score of his professional career (10 strokes on a par 3) during the final round of his 2020 defense of The Masters. 

Held in Autumn due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with no ‘Patrons’ there was an ‘eerie feel’ to an empty Augusta, like many places around the world – although nothing could prepare ‘Butch Harmon’ for what he was about to see when Tiger stood on the tee… 

Three balls found ‘Rae’s Creek’, one from the tee, one from the drop-zone and one from the bunker, it was extraordinary but reminded us once again just what Augusta National is capable of. 

Like many, we assume millions would have watched and thought ‘well I don’t feel as bad making a 10 now if Tiger did it’.

HOW WOULD YOU PLAY AMEN CORNER?

As we approach the countdown to this year’s Masters you too could see how you would fare at Amen Corner with Shot Scope’s MyStrategy tool.

Available to all current Shot Scope users, you are able to overlay your performance tracking data around Augusta National – what would your strategy around here be?!