AUGUSTA, Ga. (EDT April 9, 2001) With a perfectly judged birdie putt on the final hole, Tiger Woods emphatically stepped into history by winning the 2001 Masters Sunday.
Surviving a hard-charging David Duval and the never-say-die work of Phil Mickelson, Woods carded another solid 4-under-par 68 to post a winning score of 16-under — two shots ahead of Duval, three in front of Mickelson.
With his second Green Jacket, the 25-year-old Woods becomes the first golfer to hold all four professional major titles at the same time.
“Right now, it’s hard to explain,” Woods said in the Butler Cabin during the jacket ceremony. “It’s an eerie calmness. I don’t feel ecstatic yet. It hasn’t sunk in. But I’m proud I’ve succeeded in what I set out to accomplish.”
Woods didn’t want to comment on where he felt this accomplishment ranked in the annals of golf history, but later said, “It will probably go down as one of the top moments in our sport.”
“I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish,” Woods added. “I’ve been very lucky — I’ve had some good breaks — and I have a lot of wonderful people supporting me.”
Two of his most important people, father Earl and mother Tida, were waiting for him once again as he came off the 18th green — just like they were back in ’97 when he won at Augusta for the first time. “It was pretty special to have them there again,” Woods said.
Capsules Of Tiger Woods’ Win In Last Four Majors
Capsules of Tigers Woods’ wins in the last four major tournaments — Sunday’s
Masters and the 2000 U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship.
2001 Masters
At Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga. (April 5-8)
Claims greatest feat in modern golf with clean sweep of the majors in 294
days with two-shot win over David Duval. … Shot final-round 68, including
birdie on final hole, for 16-under, 272 total. … Traditional Grand Slam means
winning four majors in a calendar year — a feat accomplished by Bobby Jones,
who in 1930 won the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, British Open and British Amateur.
… Win gives him six titles in majors. … Sweep of majors with combined score
of 65-under par.
2000 PGA Championship
At Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Ky. (Aug. 17-20)
Became first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in one year
when he birdied last two holes and then beat Bob May in three-hole playoff. …
Won in dramatic fashion when he blasted out of a bunker to 2 feet and made par
after May’s 40-foot birdie putt just missed. … Was first player to repeat as
PGA champion since Denny Shute in 1937. … With 18-under 270 in regulation, he
now holds scoring record in relation to par in every major championship.
2000 British Open
At The Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland (July 20-23)
Wins first British Open by eight shots over Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn with
a final-round 69 for a 19-under 269 total — a record at St. Andrews. … Win
made him fifth player with a career Grand Slam — he won ’00 U.S. Open, ’97
Masters and ’99 PGA. … At 24, he became youngest to win career Grand Slam —
Jack Nicklaus, who completed his at age 26 in ’66 British Open, was last to do
it.
2000 U.S. Open
At Pebble Beach Links, Pebble Beach, Calif. (June 15-18)
Wins first U.S Open in record fashion — by 15 shots over Ernie Els …
Became first player in Open’s 106-year history to finish 72 holes at double
digits under par — 12-under 272. … Margin of victory not only shattered Open
mark of 11 set by Willie Smith in 1899, but was largest ever in a major,
surpassing 13-stroke victory by Old Tom Morris in the 1862 British Open. …
His 272 tied lowest score ever in a U.S. Open, first set by Jack Nicklaus in
1980 and matched by Lee Janzen in 1993. Both came at Baltusrol, which played as
a par 70.
