‘One of the Most Underestimated Years of Tiger’s Career’: Tiger Woods Overcame His Father’s Death Better Than Expected, Says Former Caddie

Tiger Woods has dominated the sport throughout his career and is arguably one of the most successful professionals today. The World Golf Hall of Fame member has tasted unprecedented success both on and off the course. Now, Woods’ former caddie, who recently spoke about the same, revealed what he believes is the most underestimated year in the former World No. 1’s career.

Woods and Steve, his former caddie, had a rock-solid relationship once. The duo was together from 1999 to 2011, after which they parted ways. Steve Williams caddied the 15-time major championship winner in his win at the 1999 PGA Championship. Alongside him, Woods won a whopping 13 major championship events.

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Tiger also achieved probably one of the most incredible feats in golf, the Tiger Slam, while Steve was caddying for him. Tiger Slam is when the 82-time PGA Tour winner won three of the remaining majors in 2000 and the following year won the 2001 Masters.

In a recent episode of the podcast ‘Chasing Majors,’ Woods’ long-time caddie spoke about his win at the 2006 PGA Championship. Notably, in 2006, he registered nine victories; but it was the same year Woods lost his father, Earl Woods.

Tiger Woods’ ex-caddie reflects on his career

Steve said, “Yeah, I mean, that like you mentioned before, it was one of the most underestimated years of Tiger’s career. You know, given his dominance, following his father’s death, and, you know, he overcame that better than I thought he would, you know, it just took a little bit there.”

He added, “And once he got going, and 2006, I think, you know, what Tiger and Hank had been working on, everything came together and things were getting as close to perfection as they could be. As far as Tiger’s golf was going, you know, the PGA Championship when it was a remarkable ball-striking offense. And then that the WGC also was another week, he played absolutely phenomenal there.”

Woods’ 2006 PGA Championship win

Tiger emphatically won the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah. As a result, he became the first professional to win the PGA Championship twice at the same venue. His win at Medinah Country Club was his third PGA Championship win and 12th major win. He won the event with an overall score of 18-under-par, with a comfortable five-shot advantage. Furthermore, he carded a final round of four-under-par, 68.

His final round included four birdies on the opening nine holes. In turn, Woods moved out in four-under-par, 32. Tiger made one birdie and one bogey on the back nine and finished on the top of the leaderboard. Shaun Micheel was the runner-up to the 46-year-old at the event. Shaun ended the event with an overall score of 13-under-par. In the end, he had to settle for a solo second position finish.

Do you think Woods will repeat similar heroics at this year’s PGA Championship?

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