“When he's on, we don't have much of a chance,” Ernie Els said about Tiger Woods in 2000, following the U.S. Open.

From a ruthless U.S. Open demolition to conquering majors on a broken body, he redefined dominance. Let’s look at three wins that turned greatness into history.

Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach Golf Links (California)

“I felt very at ease with myself. And for some reason, things just flowed,” said Tiger Woods in his conversation with the U.S. Open about his Pebble Beach performance. If that day were to be described in one phrase, it would be nothing short of absolute demolition. Woods finished 15 shots clear of the field, the largest margin of victory in major championship history.

Pebble Beach was a brutal course with narrow fairways, thick rough, slick greens, and strong winds. However, none of it mattered to Woods. He finished at −12 (272).

It was such a demolition that six-time major champion Phil Mickelson later stated, “It’s the greatest golf I’ve ever witnessed, and I believe the greatest golf that has ever been played.”

At the Torrey Pines South Course (California)

Woods' performance at Pebble Beach was historic, but his win at Torrey Pines was a testament to his resilience. At the 2008 U.S. Open, Tiger faced one of the most challenging times in his career.

Tiger Woods played with a torn ACL and stress fractures in his leg. “I asked him on three separate occasions if it was the right thing to carry on. And I got the same reply each time: 'F*** you, Stevie, I'm winning this tournament.' After three times, I wasn't going to say it to him again,” Steve Williams, Woods' caddie from 1999 to 2011.

After a gruelling match, Woods finished tied after 72 holes, forcing an 18-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate. After a close playoff, he defeated Mediate in the death round. While victory was sweet, Woods announced later that week that he would miss the rest of the season due to reconstructive surgery.

At the Augusta National Golf Club (Georgia)

By 2019, many believed that the era of Tiger Woods was over, but while the community ruled him out, he was planning a phenomenal comeback. At the Augusta National Golf Club, Woods ended an 11-year major championship drought, which was the longest of his career.

He won the 2019 Masters, which was his fifth Masters title and 15th major overall. Woods entered the final round two shots back and shot a 70, finishing at 13-under par.

So did your favorite Tiger Woods performance make this list? Tell us in the comments.

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi