“I was different than most,” 15x major champion Tiger Woods reflects on his unique impact on golf

In the first content of the PGA Tour Studios, Tiger Woods looked back at his career and spoke on the impact he had on the game.

“I was different than most,” 15x major champion Tiger Woods reflects on his unique impact on golf

Tiger Woods (Image via Imago)

On the occasion of the New Year, the PGA Tour debuted the PGA Tour Studios. Their first content shared was of golf great Tiger Woods. The 15-time major champion arrived at the studios and looked back at his career. During that, he reflected on the unique impact he had on golf.

Woods turned professional in 1996 at the age of just 20. A year later, he claimed his first major championship by winning The Masters Tournament by a huge margin of 12 strokes. Since then, Woods has gone on to become one of the all-time greats in sports history.

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His impact on golf is certainly off the charts. Several current top stars have grown up idolizing Woods and his style of play. Without Woods, golf may not have been at this top level, which it currently is at.

Speaking on this topic, the 49-year-old claimed that he was “different” than most. He added that he was bringing something new to the sport due to this ethnicity and his style of play.

I was bringing something different to the sport just because of my ethnicity. I was different than most of the sport already. How I played was different. We were just making a switch from persimmon to metal [clubs] at that time. I was outdriving a lot of people… Certain players were looking at certain spots. That didn’t exist to me. I took it right over the top.

Tiger Woods said

While like many, Woods has seen a decline in his form in recent years, mostly due to injuries. However, his presence on the PGA Tour still has a huge impact on the viewership of the game.

Recently at the PNC Championship, Woods found himself in contention for winning again. As he and his son, Charlie Woods kept on battling Bernhard Langer and his Jason, fans kept on tuning in as Woods came close to ending a five-year winless drought. Though they fell short in the playoff round, the event marked a huge 147% increase in viewership, highlighting the impact of Woods on this sport.

Tiger Woods comments on crowd reaction at 2018 Tour Championship

Tiger Woods entered the 2018 Tour Championship while being on a five-year winless run. His last victory had come in 2013. At this point, it seemed all over for Woods. He though stunned the world as he roared back to form and claimed an emphatic win in this event. While his win was an incredible sight, the crowd reaction was something that stands out to many.

Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods (Image via Imago)

As Woods edged closer to victory, the crowd at the Eastlake would start following him. A huge hoard of supporters would walk directly behind him as he walked towards the 18th hole.

Woods had previously described this moment as “All hell broke loose“. The veteran has now said that the crowd went into pandemonium as he hit his second shot.

When Rory and I came off the tee, the people were starting to break under the ropes. Police officers were trying to keep things at bay. But once we hit our second shots and we started to walk down, it became pandemonium. I mean, it was the evolution of being on tour… It was funny when one of the side angles to see all the sea of arms out leaning forward with the cameras out. I get a big kick out of that.

Tiger Woods said

This turned out to be his 80th PGA Tour win. In the following year, he broke an 11-year major championship drought as he won the Masters Tournament for a fifth time. He later went on to tie Sam Sneed for the most PGA Tour wins with 82 as he won the Zozo Championship. This to date is the last event he has won.