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Tiger Woods’ Historic 2000 U.S. Open Victory
Tiger Woods’ list of accomplishments in his extraordinary career is extensive. The golf legend has conquered nearly every event and manner in the sport. However, one standout achievement on Woods’ impressive résumé is his historically dominant performance at the 2000 U.S. Open.
Heading into the tournament, it had been thirty years since the event was decided by more than 3 strokes. The last time it had been decided by double-digit strokes was in the 19th century. At Pebble Beach in California, Woods achieved a record-shattering victory, winning by 15 strokes, a margin that remains unmatched in any major to this day.
Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from Woods’ master class in 2000:
Setting the Tone
Woods’ exceptional form at Pebble Beach was not unexpected. He was in the midst of an outstanding stretch in his career, having recently secured a 5-stroke victory at the Memorial Tournament. In the first round of the U.S. Open, Woods shot 6-under, taking the lead. While he led the field after the first round, the historic pace he would set was not fully evident at that point.
Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain trailed by just 1 stroke at the end of the first round, with John Huston 2 strokes behind.
Superb Putting Pushes Him Ahead
Although Woods excelled in every aspect of his game during the tournament, his putting was particularly impressive. Despite challenging weather conditions, Woods managed to one-putt on 20 of his first 38 greens. Notably, he did not three-putt once throughout the U.S. Open, leaving spectators and competitors in awe of his precision.
“He had some Jedi powers; he could pretty much will the ball in the hole,” said Jesper Parnevik, who played with Woods.
A Lone Third-Round Blemish
In the third round, Woods encountered a moment of struggle, recording a triple bogey on the third hole. This blemish added a 7 to an otherwise outstanding scorecard, marking the first time in the Masters era that a player won a major championship with a triple bogey on their card.
Final Two Rounds Turn the Competition into a Rout
Despite the third-round setback, Woods finished the tournament even stronger than he started. By the end of Round 2, he held a 6-stroke lead, which he extended to a remarkable 10 strokes by the end of Round 3. His 54-hole lead was the largest in U.S. Open history.
During the final round, Woods continued his dominance, finishing with a 12-under par. He became the first player to finish a U.S. Open under par by double digits, widening the gap between himself and the rest of the field.
As Woods triumphantly lifted the U.S. Open trophy, it marked the beginning of a remarkable run that would later be known as the “Tiger Slam.” Over the following year, he secured victories at St. Andrews, Valhalla, and Augusta, becoming the simultaneous holder of every men’s major championship, a feat unprecedented in modern golf history.
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