In February 2006, the golf legend was competing in the Dell Technology Match Play. Woods had won the event twice before, consecutively in 2003 and 2004. But this time he was out of form. He had withdrawn from a tournament just a week before the Dell Tech event, and many argued he wasn’t back to himself just yet.
Woods was paired up against Stephen Ames in the first round of match play. Before the round began, Ames was asked how he thought he’d fair against Woods. He stated, “Anything can happen, especially where he’s hitting the ball.” throwing shade at Woods’ wayward drive. But the 15-time major winner had the last laugh.
Winning every single hole on the front nine and squaring the tenth hole, Woods ended the first round in the blink of an eye with a score of 9 and 8. After the round in the interview, Ames said, “He played very well. He struck the ball nicely with the driver and also his irons.”
The 82-time PGA Tour winner added, “I think I did alright today. I think he understands now.” Woods proved to Ames and the rest of the world that day that he was not easy to take down, because he had one of the strongest mindsets on the course. He enters every event with hell bent on trying to grab a win.