Early on in an athlete’s life, their ambition is often looked at as smugness. Their goal of wanting to be the best is laughed at or lashed out at. That’s how the golf legend’s career started. Curtis Strange was among those who had harsh words for Tiger Woods and his ambition. He once harshly shut down Woods for voicing his dream to win. Years later, Strange recalled the incident. But did he regret it? Let’s find out.

Woods, in his professional career, has scaled new heights on the PGA Tour. And despite him being an extremely skilled amateur, no one except those who knew the golf great’s resolve could’ve seen it coming.

Curtis Strange stands by his words to Tiger Woods

In 1996, Woods turned pro and made his debut on the PGA Tour. His first event as a pro came at the Greater Milwaukee Open. Soon after finishing the first round of the tournament, the golf pro sat down with Strange to discuss his newly begun professional golf career. During the interview, when Woods stated he wanted to play well and maybe win the event, Strange lost his cool.

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He was enraged that Woods had just walked onto the Tour and declared that second and third place were insufficient and that he desired a win. Strange said to him that day, “You’ll learn.” His harsh reply wasn’t something the golf world forgot, and years later, after the 82-time PGA Tour Champion had shown his worth, Strange was forced to remember their sit-down.

“As far as the (‘You’ll learn’) comment that went semi-viral, I think the world was thinking the same thing I said, for Christ’s sake,” said the two-time US Open champion, as per Golfweek in 2016. “In the world of golf, sometimes second doesn’t suck.”  Strange believed that many would agree with him that second or third was not a bad place to be. He knew winning was better, but didn’t think second was terrible either.

Strange admits to underestimating the golf legend

Back then, Strange undermined and underestimated Woods for his comments. But years later, he did come to regret that part of the interview. “I told Tiger years later, ‘I learned. Maybe I was wrong and you were right,” he stated. “Or maybe we were both right.”

Perhaps Strange was right in saying second or third isn’t too bad, but that wasn’t the Woods mentality. The golf champion is always looking for a win, and that’s his driving force and motivation. Strange admits that maybe he was quick to judge him for that.

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What do you think you would’ve done if you were in Strange’s shoes? Let us know in the comments below.