Tiger Woods Never Wanted to Show Phil Mickelson a Weak Spot, Even if It Meant Hiding His Raw Emotions After a Win

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson both share a fierce professional rivalry. Both the professionals love competing against each other and have played various events together. Moreover, back in 2001, Woods narrated an incident from a Major championship event that will prove how intense the rivalry between the two golf legends is.

The 82-time PGA Tour winner spoke about the emotional moment at the 2001 Masters on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Woods talked about how he was emotional after he sank in the putt on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club to win the event.

Read more: ‘I Believe in Legacies’: Tiger Woods Strongly Disagrees With Phil Mickelson; Wants Golfers to ‘Earn’ Money Rather Than Being ‘Guaranteed’ Up Front

At the same time, he revealed why and how he gathered himself from the emotional breakdown after his win. In the interview, the World Golf Hall of Famer also spoke about how he keeps his cool under pressure and his mentality while practicing. Woods’ words prove the rivalry between him and the six-time major championship winner.

Moreover, Woods revealed how he stopped sobbing as Phil Mickelson still had to putt. At the same time, he did not want to cry in front of his opponent. This also means that Woods never wanted his opponent to see his weak side, where he expressed his raw emotions while winning the event.

Tiger Woods on controlling his emotions in front of Phil Mickelson

The former World Number one said, “When I had made the putt, I walked over to the side of the green and Bones which was Phil Mickelson’s caddy was there and he said congratulations and I said thanks. And I just had a moment there and all of a sudden I realized I had no more shots to play. I was done and I started losing it.”

Woods added, “But I said I have to get it back together because you know Phil’s putting now and I have to shake his hand I don’t want to be sobbing. I just said get it together. You don’t want to be sobbing in front of your opponent like that. Just suck it up. That’s the right thing to do.”

Moreover, the 46-year-old professional’s words prove how he wants to hide his weaknesses from his opponents. It also provides a glimpse of the rivalry between the two golf legends.

How did Phil Mickelson finish at the 2001 Masters?

The 52-year-old professional ended the major championship event with an overall score of 13-under-par. As a result, he had to settle for a solo third position finish on the leaderboard. Moreover, the Lefty carded a final round of two-under-par, 70 to finish inside the top five at the major championship event.

His round of 70 included four birdies and two bogeys on the opening nine holes. As a result, Mickelson moved out in two-under-par, 34. He made two birdies, two bogeys, and five pars on the back nine to end his round. At the same time, Woods won the event with an overall score of 16-under-par.

He won at Augusta National with a two-short lead. Furthermore, he carded a final round of four-under-par, 60 to finish on the top of the leaderboard. Do you think Woods will win another major?

What do you think about Tiger’s revelation? Share your views in the comment section.

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