It’s been 25 years since Tiger Woods’ historic 2000 season. As 2025 unfolds, we’ll look again on every of Woods’ begins, together with his 10 worldwide wins.
First up…
Match: Mercedes Championship
The place: Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii
Date: Jan. 6-9, 2000
Tiger’s end: Received (in playoff over Ernie Els)
Tiger’s scorecard: 71-66-71-68–276 (-16)
Setting the stage: Woods arrived in paradise for the winners-only occasion, in simply its second yr at Kapalua, recent off a 1999 marketing campaign wherein he gained eight PGA Tour titles, together with every of his closing 4 begins. The primary card was anticipated to be the world No. 1 Woods versus No. 2 David Duval, who had gained 4 instances the earlier season, nevertheless it was fifth-ranked Ernie Els who would offer Woods his stiffest problem.
The way it occurred: Woods raced forward by 4 pictures by means of 36 holes, impervious to whipping commerce winds throughout a second-round 66, greater than eight pictures higher than the sector common. “This man is on hearth,” Els stated of Woods that afternoon. “He’s obtained all of the expertise on the earth. What are you able to do? You’ve simply obtained to stay to your weapons. However he’s obtained greater weapons than I’ve.” Els clawed again with a Saturday 67 to tie Woods getting into Sunday; Woods wanted a closing eagle to shoot 71 and match Els at 11 beneath by means of 54 holes. And the pair was nonetheless knotted with one gap to play in regulation on Sunday due to a 71st-hole bogey by Woods. On the par-5 ending gap, Woods hit a 3-wood that rode the slope to eight ft from the outlet, solely to then watch Els out-do him, hitting his 3-wood to six ft. Each gamers would make their eagle putts, Woods celebrating with a right-handed uppercut and Els with a agency, waist-high fist pump. “I knew he was going to make that putt,” Woods stated. “It’s important to anticipate the most effective out of the most effective gamers.” On the primary additional gap, additionally No. 18, the 2, who completed regulation 4 pictures forward of the third-place Duval, traded birdies earlier than they every drew prolonged birdie seems on the subsequent, the par-4 tenth gap. With Els going through a 35-footer, Woods went first from about 40 ft and drained it. Els’ bid to increase got here up a number of rotations brief. “In case you consider in one thing so onerous it’s going to go in,” Woods stated of his successful putt.
Historic significance: Woods turned the primary participant since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win 5 straight PGA Tour occasions, although Woods downplayed the streak on the time, noting that he’d completed sixth on the Johnnie Walker Championship, a European Tour occasion, in mid-November.
Memorable quote: “I believe he’s a legend within the making. You guys have helped, however he’s backed it up along with his golf sport. He’s 24. He’s in all probability going to be greater than Elvis when he will get into his 40s.” – Els
