‘In a Slump?’: When Tiger Woods’ Childhood Hero Arnold Palmer Backed the Prowess of the 15-Time Major Winner With a Sublime Statement

It is not a secret that Tiger Woods had the most incredible career as a professional golfer. He has won 100+ tournament titles worldwide, including 15 majors and 18 World Golf Championships. Furthermore, he has created many records in the history of golf, some of which are yet to be broken. 

There were many memorable moments in Woods’ career. However, there were some instances that he wishes never should have happened. And one of them was when he experienced a setback early in his career.

Woods couldn’t win any titles in eight consecutive events from 2000 to 2001. And the media declared it as a “slump” in his career. The term bothered Woods profoundly; even his childhood hero, Arnold Palmer, found it infuriating.  

“The media looks for an opportunity like this to talk about a slump,” Palmer said during a press interview. “Tiger’s in a slump?” he asked. “He may win the next six tournaments he plays, too.” 

Tiger Woods said declaring his performance as a slump meant one didn’t understand the game

To say that Woods was least pleased with the term, “slump” would be an understatement. “It’s annoying,” he said to the media while referring to it. “Because… if you think that way, then you really don’t understand the game of golf.” 

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If it were any other golfer, not winning a title in 8 starts wouldn’t have been a big issue. However, Woods was no ordinary golfer. He had won eight victories in 1999 and nine in 2000, and was even named PGA Tour Player of the Year in those years. Therefore, when he couldn’t win in any of the first five starts in 2001, everybody wondered whether it will be the end of the wonderful career Woods had created. 

Palmer’s prediction about Woods became a reality! 

It’s still a wonder how Palmer predicted Woods‘ career in 2001. He envisioned that the young golfer would win 6 in a row. Although Tiger Woods couldn’t win exactly as the 7-time major champion had predicted, he came very close. 

A couple of days after Palmer’s interview, Woods won his first title of the year at the Bay Hills. He continued his streak at the PLAYERS Championship, and later at the Masters Tournament. The golfer could only secure a T3 at the Verizon Byron Nelson Classic. However, he won his fourth title at the Memorial Tournament next week. 

Woods had a rough start in 2001. While many believed it as a setback for him, neither he nor his favorite, Palmer, thought the same. Although he couldn’t win 6 titles in a row as Palmer had predicted, Woods lived up to his childhood hero’s expectation by winning four events in five starts. 

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