Bet on Tiger
By Keiser University Director of Online Golf Instruction Bradley Turner – MBA, PGA
A week has passed since we heard the shocking news of Tiger’s accident. The golf world is still uncertain about the extent of his injuries, and there is widespread speculation that we may not see Tiger competing on the PGA Tour in the future. If there is one thing I have learned about Tiger Woods, you should not bet against him. The good news (if there is such a thing) is that he suffered significant injuries to his right leg, not his left leg. The right leg acts as a support mechanism in the golf swing while the left leg absorbs a larger percentage of pressure and torque. If his back did not suffer further injuries, I am betting on Tiger to make another comeback.
1991
I had just started my career in golf education when I heard the name, Tiger Woods. He had just captured the US Junior Amateur at Bay Hill at the young age of 15. The students in my Club Fitting class were raving about this young player, as the word was that Tiger was the next Jack or Arnie. I decided to share some words of wisdom with the class. I agreed with the students that he was a great young player, but there is so much to the game he needed to develop – if he was going to be great.
One particular issue with junior golfers is the influence of a growth spurt or an increase in strength can have on their golf equipment. The lie angle of the clubs will need to change as the player matures into a young adult. Shafts will need to be fitted appropriately as well. I was certain that Tiger could become a PGA Tour player, but to think that he would challenge Jack Nicklaus was completely ridiculous. Little did I know that his father, Earl Woods, was on top of the club fitting issue throughout his entire junior career. Tiger went on to win the 1991, 1992, and 1993 US Junior Amateur. No player had ever won the title more than once, and Tiger won three in a row.
1996
When Tiger won the US Amateur three consecutive times in 1994, 1995, and 1996, he was the superstar of amateur golf. In December of 1996, Sports Illustrated named Tiger, their “Sportsman of the Year.” In the Sports Illustrated article, Earl Woods predicted that Tiger would win 14 major championships in his career. After reading the article, I decided to share my education and experience with my students. I explained that Tiger was certainly a great golfer, but that was against amateur golfers. He was now going to be playing against the best in the world. I could see Tiger winning major championships, but 14 major championships were simply ridiculous. Earl Woods was a proud father believing in his son’s ability to compete on the world stage. I thought Tiger would be lucky to get to eight or nine majors.
2000
By the turn of the century, Tiger had won two majors and was the number one player on the planet. Maybe he could get to 10 majors, but he had a long way to go. In 2000, I bet against Tiger with a good friend of mine. In the major championships, my friend was so confident of Tiger winning; he let me take the field. That was the easiest bet I ever made, as it was 155 players against Tiger. Except that Tiger won three majors that year and completed the Tiger Slam with a Masters victory in 2001. After losing four bets in a row, I decided that maybe Tiger would get to Jack’s record of 18 major professional championships. I no longer wanted to bet against Tiger.
2008
Probably my favorite US Open, as Tiger put together one of his all-time best performances…on a broken leg. His Saturday performance had me jumping out of my chair. Two eagles coming in along with a holed pitch shot, and he had the lead going into Sunday. A bit of a struggle on Sunday, but he birdied the 72nd hole to force a playoff. By Monday evening, Tiger had his 14th major championship. I knew all along he was going to achieve his father’s prediction.
2019
We won’t see Tiger this year at Augusta, but the memories of 2019 are embedded in golf fans’ minds forever, and they will have to suffice until 2022. I was fortunate to be at Augusta on that Sunday to witness his unlikely comeback. As many of you know, cell phones are not allowed at the Masters. Scoreboard watching is how information is shared with the patrons. All that Sunday morning, we heard roars throughout the golf course. We could hear a roar for a sure Tiger birdie. Then another roar when his birdie was posted on the scoreboard. Thirty thousand patrons were cheering for the same player. The emotion and energy in the crowd were something I will never forget. If there was one thing I have learned about Tiger, don’t bet against him.
We were positioned beside sixteen green when he almost made a hole-in-one. The patrons were giddy with excitement as he took a two-stroke lead to the 17th hole. We raced to the green on eighteen as we wanted to witness the great one complete his comeback. It must have been difficult for the Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka fans on that Sunday, as 99% were rooting for Tiger to win. Tiger got his 15th major, bettering his father’s bold prediction from 1996.
2022
Trust me; Tiger will be back. Tiger may not get to Jack’s 18 majors, but he did get to Snead’s 82 PGA tour wins. I believe he will pass Sam Snead with his 83rd win by 2022. Does anyone want to take that bet?
If you’d like to study with Bradley Turner and other PGA Master Professionals, contact the College of Golf today.
