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It’s hard to believe that it is already six years ago that Tiger Woods turned back the proverbial clock and won his fifth green jacket.
He did so 22 years after winning his first Masters in 1997, which is simply remarkable. It was a Masters for the ages. But did his fellow pros see it coming?
That was the question for this Masters survey: Be honest, did you think Tiger would win another major before he did so in 2019 for the 15th of his career? The responses are basically split down the middle, which speaks to how special a week it was for Woods, who had endured so many injuries and surgeries but still knew how to get it done on the back nine and make it back to the top of the mountain.
[Editor’s note: Nearly all of the answers were given before Tiger’s latest surgery, which is preventing him from playing in the 2025 Masters.]
I was skeptical but I wasn’t ruling it out.
Yes. Given how he won the U.S. Open in 2008, you could never doubt him. Plus, he was trending. He had won the Tour Championship. I learned a long time ago you can’t doubt the guy.
I hadn’t really given it much thought but I wasn’t surprised that he did.
Yeah, because he’s always pulled it off.
I was hopeful that he’d figured it out. He’s the greatest.
I really had my doubts because when your legs go it’s tough to play. But Tiger being Tiger, a man I’ve admired so much, it was gratifying to see him win again in 2019. When he won, you could see what wins tournaments – not long hitting or having a beautiful swing – it’s your course management and your mind.
Yes. I’ve been around him enough, if anyone knows that golf course, he could play it blindfolded. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t win a sixth.
I never doubted him. He's the greatest ever player. If he can walk then he has a chance.
I didn’t think so just because of all of the surgeries he had. I was thinking he’s done and he comes out and makes it look simple again.
Honestly, yeah. I still think like he's going to magically come back and be as good as he ever was. I just never count him out.
Yes then, but my answer is no now. He still had the speed and could get around then.
I did.
I never said it out loud because you'd never bet against him, but I would have bet against him.
Honestly, no. I said on TV at the time if he wins a 15th major I felt it would be his greatest achievement after what he had been through.
I would say yes and no. I knew it was going to be tough, but having spent the amount of time that we had prior to that and seeing how he was playing I knew he was fully capable, especially around a place like that. It wasn't something that I was saying he's definitely not going to do it, but I knew it was going to be a long shot. Myself and JT and some other guys kind of had a little info from playing with him at home and seeing how he was doing.
I always found if he has a healthy body, he can do it. However, I always questioned if he would be able to physically manage a tough walk. Because it seemed like there was always something – always a surgery, always an injury. He was never out there consistently, and so that was my biggest thing.
I would have said no. He’s made a habit of proving people’s belief wrong.
I'm quoted beforehand as saying he would. I never count Tiger out.
I did not!
No. That was an amazing performance.
I did. If he was up and running, I knew he could do it again. He doesn’t touch his clubs unless he thinks he can win. He has an incredible amount of self-belief.
No. Because I thought he was really hurt. But it does not surprise me that I was wrong because he never ceases to amaze me. The man's amazing.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Did these pros think Tiger would win another major before 2019 Masters?
Continue reading...
He did so 22 years after winning his first Masters in 1997, which is simply remarkable. It was a Masters for the ages. But did his fellow pros see it coming?
That was the question for this Masters survey: Be honest, did you think Tiger would win another major before he did so in 2019 for the 15th of his career? The responses are basically split down the middle, which speaks to how special a week it was for Woods, who had endured so many injuries and surgeries but still knew how to get it done on the back nine and make it back to the top of the mountain.
[Editor’s note: Nearly all of the answers were given before Tiger’s latest surgery, which is preventing him from playing in the 2025 Masters.]
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Adam Hadwin
I was skeptical but I wasn’t ruling it out.
Adam Scott
Yes. Given how he won the U.S. Open in 2008, you could never doubt him. Plus, he was trending. He had won the Tour Championship. I learned a long time ago you can’t doubt the guy.
Brian Harman
I hadn’t really given it much thought but I wasn’t surprised that he did.
Collin Morikawa
Yeah, because he’s always pulled it off.
Corey Conners
I was hopeful that he’d figured it out. He’s the greatest.
Gary Player
I really had my doubts because when your legs go it’s tough to play. But Tiger being Tiger, a man I’ve admired so much, it was gratifying to see him win again in 2019. When he won, you could see what wins tournaments – not long hitting or having a beautiful swing – it’s your course management and your mind.
Gary Woodland
Yes. I’ve been around him enough, if anyone knows that golf course, he could play it blindfolded. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t win a sixth.
Harris English
I never doubted him. He's the greatest ever player. If he can walk then he has a chance.
Jason Day
I didn’t think so just because of all of the surgeries he had. I was thinking he’s done and he comes out and makes it look simple again.
Keegan Bradley
Honestly, yeah. I still think like he's going to magically come back and be as good as he ever was. I just never count him out.
Kevin Kisner
Yes then, but my answer is no now. He still had the speed and could get around then.
Matt Fitzpatrick
I did.
Matt Kuchar
I never said it out loud because you'd never bet against him, but I would have bet against him.
Nick Faldo
Honestly, no. I said on TV at the time if he wins a 15th major I felt it would be his greatest achievement after what he had been through.
Rickie Fowler
I would say yes and no. I knew it was going to be tough, but having spent the amount of time that we had prior to that and seeing how he was playing I knew he was fully capable, especially around a place like that. It wasn't something that I was saying he's definitely not going to do it, but I knew it was going to be a long shot. Myself and JT and some other guys kind of had a little info from playing with him at home and seeing how he was doing.
Russell Henley
I always found if he has a healthy body, he can do it. However, I always questioned if he would be able to physically manage a tough walk. Because it seemed like there was always something – always a surgery, always an injury. He was never out there consistently, and so that was my biggest thing.
Stewart Cink
I would have said no. He’s made a habit of proving people’s belief wrong.
Tony Finau
I'm quoted beforehand as saying he would. I never count Tiger out.
Webb Simpson
I did not!
Wyndham Clark
No. That was an amazing performance.
Xander Schauffele
I did. If he was up and running, I knew he could do it again. He doesn’t touch his clubs unless he thinks he can win. He has an incredible amount of self-belief.
Zach Johnson
No. Because I thought he was really hurt. But it does not surprise me that I was wrong because he never ceases to amaze me. The man's amazing.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Did these pros think Tiger would win another major before 2019 Masters?
Continue reading...
