Countdown to the Masters 2011 – Day 48: Tiger’s astonishing 12 shot victory in 1997

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Tiger Woods won the 199

Tiger Woods won the 199

Welcome to Day 48 of the Today’s Golfer Countdown to The Masters 2011. Every day from February 17th until the big day when the season’s first Major tees off, April 7th, we will be bringing you some of our favourite memorable moments from The Masters since the tournament started in 1934.

Everyone wanted to know how this green, young pro would play in his first ever major championship as a pro. Would he make the cut? Would he be in contention? The answer was emphatic, and changed golf as we know it.

Tiger had played Augusta National six times before this week (all as an amateur) and he had never broken par. He shot a 2-under par first round 70, and followed it with astonishing rounds of 66, 65 and 69. At 21 years, three months and 15 days, he became the youngest person ever to win the Masters (beating Seve who was 23 years and three days old when he won in 1980).

Tiger led by nine shots after 54 holes (the largest lead ever held at this stage) and broke dozens of records. He beat the record lowest 72-hole aggregate score. His second and third rounds were the best ‘middle’ stretch ever at Augusta. His eventual 12 shot victory, needless to say, comfortably broke the biggest winning margin.

Afterwards, Woods was asked when he felt comfortable enough with his lead, and had allowed himself to think about victory. No one would have been a bit surprised if he had replied ‘Friday night’. As it was, he said: “I knew I had to get through Amen Corner with par at the worst. I couldn’t afford to let up on my concentration or anything. Winning the Masters is something I’ve always dreamt of; but I never dreamt I would win with a lead like this. It’s not what you imagine.”

It’s not what anyone imagined, as he strolled to victory and then enjoyed a famous hug with his Dad beside the 18th green. Tiger had well and truly arrived. One of the great pub quiz questions is who came second? (Answer: Tom Kite.)  

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