Celebrating Tiger Woods: Iconic Shots From His Rivals as He Turns 50

As Tiger Woods approaches his 50th birthday on December 30, memorable moments from competitors who faced him on the course have come to light. These recollections not only highlight Woods’s exceptional skills but also underscore the impact he has had on the game of golf. Here are some standout shots that have left a lasting impression on those who played alongside him.

1. Nick Price at the 2005 Match Play Championship, La Costa Resort

Nick Price recalls a moment that showcased Woods’s extraordinary talent:
"He’s in grass I promise you is this deep." Price gestures about 6 inches apart.

• Situation: 230 yards to the flag, Woods was in deep grass.
• Price’s Shot: He hit a hybrid onto the front edge of the green.
• Woods’s Shot: A 5-iron that pitched on the green, landing about 12 feet from the hole.
• Reflection: Price marvels, “In a million years, I couldn’t hit that shot. The guy was never in trouble.”

2. Stewart Cink at the 1998 BellSouth Classic, TPC Sugarloaf

Stewart Cink remembers a pivotal moment during the final round:
"We both had 265 to the hole."

• Cink’s Shot: Laid a 3-wood right of the green.
• Woods’s Shot: A 2-iron that flew high and landed softly on the green, releasing only 2 feet.
• Reflection: Cink noted, “OK, he just hit his 2-iron as far as I hit my 3-wood… A skill set I don’t have.”

3. Padraig Harrington at the 2009 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Firestone

Padraig Harrington provides insight into one of Woods’s most memorable shots:
"The shot he hit into Bridgestone on the 16th was one of the craziest and most spectacular shots I’ve ever seen."

• Situation: Woods from a bunker slope hit an 8-iron to 2 feet on a hard green, while Harrington misfired from the fairway.
• Impact on Harrington: “It wasn’t just his good shot; it affected my next shot.”

4. Matt Kuchar at the 1998 Masters, Opening Hole

Matt Kuchar vividly remembers his first experience playing with Woods:
"I could not have been more nervous."

• Kuchar’s Shot: Hit a good drive but landed 20 feet short of the pin.
• Woods’s Shot: One-hopped over the green but then executed a remarkable chip.
• Reflection: Kuchar exclaimed, “I’d never seen anybody pull off a shot like that.”

5. Tom Lehman at the 2007 Memorial, Muirfield Village

Tom Lehman shares a competitive moment on the par-3 17th hole:
"The green was rock-hard."

• Lehman’s Shot: Hit a 5-iron that rolled 25 feet past the hole.
• Woods’s Shot: A high 5-iron that landed next to the cup and stopped just 2 feet away.
• Woods’s Remark: “That was a little, three-finger 5-iron.”
• Reflection: Lehman noted, “Only one guy could hit that shot.”

6. Jim Furyk at the 2005 Presidents Cup, Robert Trent Jones Golf Club

Jim Furyk recalls a memorable pairing with Woods:
"He hit a high cut against a little breeze."

• Furyk’s Shot: A solid 5-iron that ended up behind the green.
• Woods’s Shot: A 6-iron that landed softly, finishing at 3 feet.
• Reflection: Furyk laughed, noting the unique skill, “Just my partner could pull that off.”

Conclusion

These accounts capture not just Tiger Woods’s phenomenal talent but also the awe and respect he commands from fellow golfers. As Woods celebrates this significant milestone, his legacy continues to inspire both competitors and fans alike.