On this day: Tiger Woods wins the Masters – and changes golf forever

There is announcing yourself on the world stage and then there is turning the final round of arguably golf’s most famous event into a lap of honour.
At the 1997 Masters Championship, Tiger Woods achieved the latter as he shattered a host of records.
Woods was playing his first major championship as a professional, having previously finished as low amateur at the 1995 Masters and 1996 Open Championship.
The game of golf was changed forever. #MastersRewind pic.twitter.com/oh9s9zz3iX
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2020
The 21-year-old became the youngest person to sport the famous green jacket, his 12-shot winning margin remains a Masters record and has only been bettered in majors by Woods himself – the American finishing 15 shots clear at the 2000 US Open.
Remarkably Woods had reached the turn in 40 on Thursday but recovered on the back nine and an opening 70 had left him three shots off the lead.
A brilliant 66 on Friday left him three clear of Colin Montgomerie at the halfway stage.
A third-round 65 increased Woods lead to nine shots but there were still questions to be answered during the final round. Surely nerves and the weight of the occasion would bring the chasing pack into play at some stage?
As the world was introduced to Woods’ now customary final-round red attire, five birdies and only two bogeys extended the gap to eventual runner-up Tom Kite and assured superstar status for the champion.
“I’ve never played an entire tournament with my “A” game, but this was pretty close.” #MastersRewind pic.twitter.com/tExYIoNnry
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2020
As Kite said after his third runner-up finish at Augusta: “This one, I never had a chance to win the golf tournament.”
It was not just on the course that records tumbled – a record TV audience of 44million tuned in for the final round and the now 15-time major winner has undoubtedly changed the sport forever.
Woods won 486,000 dollars (GBP 297,966) for his triumph – when he collected a fifth green jacket in 2019 the winner’s cheque was for 2.07m dollars (GBP 1.57m).
Not only has prize money escalated but courses around the world have been ‘Tiger proofed’ to make them more challenging.
“Let’s face it,” said Jack Nicklaus in the aftermath of Woods’ performance, “it’s his time now”.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Graeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA Tour
Lee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European Tour
Sam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA Championship
Defending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA Tour
English rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
News
We’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.