Woods reflects on his younger self

In a recent interview with CNN, Tiger Woods reflected on what made him able to change golfing history.

Woods burst onto the professional scene in August 1996 and just a few months later at the Masters, he became the youngest player to win a major at 21-years-old.

Fast forward a few months more into 1997, and Woods had surged to top of the world golf rankings.

"When I came into golf, I did it differently because no one had ever trained, no one ever lifted weights, no one ever ran miles, no one ever did wind sprints," said the 14-time major winner on CNN.

"No one ever did any of those things in golf and I had success doing it differently. And I think that's what people sometimes see and have gravitated towards."

Woods did indeed inspire a generation of golfers with his work ethic, as one has to look no further than Rory McIlroy who is often in the weight room.

The former world number one has endured a tumultuous year, where he has undergone three surgeries on his back to alleviate nerve pain. Nonetheless, Woods has not lost his love for the game.

"I love golf and there are times when I know that golf does not love me," added the 39-year-old.

"When I hit that shot and I think that it's perfect and it ends up in a bunker. Or it gets that bad bounce and it ends up in the water. The golfing gods, they can turn on you pretty quickly. But, I think we all as individuals just really enjoy the sport because it is up to us.

"The ball is not moving, it's not a reactionary sport. It's just looking right at you and laughing at you and says there's a little hole somewhere down there, go put it in there and it's up to you to do it."

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