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‘I’ve Been Lucky Enough to Have Him’: Tiger Woods Honors His Father Figure on the PGA Tour

Published 12/12/2022, 4:00 AM EST

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via Reuters

Everyone has a weak point, no matter how strong one can pretend to be. And the former number golfer Tiger Woods was not untouched by this fact. His father, the late Earl Woods, was everything to him. After he left the world in 2006, Woods was not completely deviated from fatherly love in his life. He had a father-figure golfer, Fred Couples.

Couples is an American pro golfer who played on the PGA tour and the PGA Championship. The 15-times major championship winner has been close to him since he first encountered him in 1996. After the demise of his beloved father, Woods lost track of his life and game. Earl Woods was the biggest supporter of Woods’ life. He was the one who shaped the golfer since his childhood, and the child became GOAT later. 

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All the teachings from his father made him the hall of fame golfer. Woods carries his father’s instructions with him, and now he is training his son the same. However, losing his father was the biggest shock he could have expected. The PGA pro isolated himself. However, he was not completely alone. 

The greatest golfer of all time is thankful for one presence in his life. Despite his father’s absence, Woods enjoys the company of Couples and treats him like a father. But why? 

How unique is the bond between Tiger Woods and Fred Couples?

The pro golfer Tiger Woods was recently featured in the first episode of Bridgestone’s ‘Another Golf Podcast’. There he talked about golf, his future in the game, and the items found in his golf bag. However, the highlight of the podcast episode was his relationship with Fred Couples. The 82 times PGA tour winner feels blessed to have Couples in his life whom he calls ‘dad on tour.’

Tiger Woods’ Long Time Caddie Reveals a Funny Text He Once Received From His Son

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Explaining his gratitude, Woods said“I’ve been lucky enough to have him as basically my dad on Tour.” Couples was the first to take Woods under his guidance when he became a professional in 1996. When he joined the PGA tour, unsurprisingly, he was a ‘lone wolf,’ and his fellow players were not as warm as they are now. But Couples was always available for the young GOAT in the making in 1996.

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The second most followed personality of golf on Instagram noticed Couples’ presence. He appreciated his availability during practice sessions and on-the-road dinners. The 1997 Ryder Cup was the event when Woods realized Fred’s importance. And since then, whenever he practiced at Augusta, it was either with [Mark] O’Meara or Couples.

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Watch this story- ‘Don’t Think Tiger Can Do Much’: Greg Norman Laid Bare Facts About Tiger Woods in 2009

Woods lost his father in 2006; anyone can never fill that void. However, having a father figure in life to guide you is still a blessing.

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Written by:

Saumya Yashawant

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A Commerce graduate who turned her passion into her profession, Saumya is a Golf writer at Essentially Sports. Having developed the love for the sport at a very young age, she watched Tiger Woods and caught inspiration from his legacy early on. Apart from Woods, she shares great admiration for her country's players like Vishwanathan Anand and Neeraj Chopra.
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Edited by:

Rohini Kottu

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