"That was a terrible swing": Tiger Woods wanted to change everything after his historic 1997 Masters win
May 13, 2012 - Ponte Vedra, Florida, USA - Tiger Woods during the final round of the Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass on May 13, 2012 in Ponte Vedra, Fla. ..ZUMA PRESS/ Scott A. Miller. Copyright: xScottxA.xMillerx
May 13, 2012 - Ponte Vedra, Florida, USA - Tiger Woods during the final round of the Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass on May 13, 2012 in Ponte Vedra, Fla. ..ZUMA PRESS/ Scott A. Miller. Copyright: xScottxA.xMillerx
Within a few days of his 12-shot Masters win, 15-time major champion Tiger Woods was already critiquing his swing. Former IMG agent Hughes Norton, who represented the golfing legend, reveals his unmatched hunger and constant chase for perfection.
Woods had shaken the world by winning his first major title at the 1997 Masters by a staggering twelve strokes. However, that did not make him blind to his flaws.
“He and I are sitting, watching the tapes that we got from CBS…. and we’re watching the Masters," said Norton on The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts podcast. "Tiger had just won the Masters. And Tiger, of course, had never seen the television play. Tiger says ‘Boy, that was a terrible swing.’ And then 15 minutes later he said, “That’s horrendous. I can’t believe I play golf like that."
February 16, 2025, La Jolla, California, USA: Tournament host TIGER WOODS looks on during trophy ceremony of the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. La Jolla USA - ZUMAt158 20250216_zsp_t158_052 Copyright: xBrentonxTsex
February 16, 2025, La Jolla, California, USA: Tournament host TIGER WOODS looks on during trophy ceremony of the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. La Jolla USA - ZUMAt158 20250216_zsp_t158_052 Copyright: xBrentonxTsex
In his first full season on the PGA Tour, Woods became the Masters' youngest winner at 21, achieving it in iconic fashion with the highest win margin.
However, there was still room for improvement for the youngster, per him. He approached legendary swing coach Butch Harmon to rebuild his swing.
“I said, ‘Tiger, you just won the Masters by 12 shots. Seriously?’ He said, ‘I got to change my swing.’ I bolted up in my chair and said, ‘Really?’ He said, ‘Yeah. I got to get better. I can’t keep doing that,” Norton added on The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts podcast (YouTube).
Woods' willingness to expand his limits is what cemented his legacy as one of the greats. His influence transformed the game as a whole.
The two-year partnership with Harmon delivered results. The then World No.1 went on to win the ‘Tiger Slam,’ and between August 1999 and June 2002, he won seven of 11 majors.
Now, it's back-to-back missed major seasons for the 50-year-old.
Tiger Woods misses another major season
Tiger Woods has dominated the game for a long period of time. However, now, it’s fair to say his era is over.
Woods last appeared at the majors in 2024 at Royal Troon Golf Club. He competed for the Open Championship and since then hasn’t featured on the big stages.
Last year, it was recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon injury in March, followed by a disc replacement back surgery in October.
It was all set for him to feature at the 2025 Masters, but a car accident ahead of the major derailed his return.
On March 31, Woods announced he would step away to “seek treatment and focus on my health,” as reported by Paul Hodowanic of the PGA Tour.
It remains to be seen when the 15-time major winner will return to the competitive scene.
What are your thoughts on Tiger Woods’ game mentality? Share them in the comments.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Rudra Dubey