In golf, tales of triumph and extraordinary moments shape the legacies of legends. One such legend, Tiger Woods, still chuckles as he reminisces about a remarkable incident that unfolded just weeks before his iconic Masters victory. It involved a round of golf at Isleworth, a partner named Mark, and an unexpected departure that set the stage for Tiger’s triumphant solo journey.

Let’s travel back in time and dive into the delightful narrative of that fateful day, brimming with laughter and a touch of golf magic.

An unexpected twist for Tiger Woods: Partner’s early exit

The year was 1997, and Tiger Woods was already making waves in the golfing world. On a sunny day at the Isleworth Golf & Country Club, Tiger found himself partnered with the experienced pro, Mark O’Meara. Little did they know that their round would soon take a hilarious turn.

Tiger recalled in one of the interviews with the Golf Digest, “So I was playing with Mark O’Meara, this is ’97, and so it’s a week prior to the masters. And we teed off the back nine at Isleworth.”

As they teed off on the back nine, Woods’ game erupted into a symphony of brilliance: par on the tenth, followed by birdies on the eleventh and twelfth holes. The magic continued with an eagle on the thirteenth, and birdies on the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth holes. Tiger’s incredible run spilled over into the front nine, where he flawlessly birdied the first hole.

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Approaching the third hole, a par-five, Woods gripped his three-iron, poised for another remarkable shot. Though his execution was impeccable, he settled for par, leaving spectators yearning for an even lower score. Unfazed, he marched confidently to the seventh hole, another par-five, wielding a five-iron. Alas, a par was all he could muster.

Woods’ inspiring journey without a partner at the Masters

With a breathtaking score of 59, Tiger accomplished a feat reserved for the most elite golfers. Yet, the story didn’t end there. The following day, as Tiger and Mark returned to the back nine, the symphony of brilliance continued. A birdie on the tenth hole, followed by a jaw-dropping hole-in-one on the eleventh, left Mark dumbfounded. Overwhelmed by the 15 times major winner’s extraordinary display, Mark made a decision that would forever be etched in golfing lore—he called it a day, leaving Tiger to conquer the course alone.

Recalling those unforgettable two days, Woods cherishes the significance of his performance. In his words, “Well, we teed off on ten again, and I birdied ten and then make hole-in-one on 11, and then Mark left. So it was a hell of two days, and I’ve never shot 60 in my life. I’ve shot 62 a bunch of times. But I’ve never shot 60. and I have only shot 59 once.”

Shooting a personal best of 59, surpassing his previous record of 62, filled him with undeniable confidence. It was a confidence that would propel him to greater heights, including his historic triumph at the Masters just weeks later.

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Tiger Woods’ incredible display of golfing brilliance, combined with the humorous departure of his partner, served as a prelude to his legendary Masters victory. It showcased his unrivaled talent and unwavering focus, solidifying his place among the golfing greats. And to this day, the golf GOAT still chuckles at the memory, cherishing the laughter and magic that accompanied his solo journey to greatness.