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Tiger And Friends

By Alex Myers

Tiger And Friends

September 06, 2012

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Tiger & "Marko"
Tiger's original bromance on tour was with Mark O'Meara, who is 19 years his senior. The two were neighbors at Isleworth and frequent practice round and fishing partners. They remain close today -- even if their average driving distances are anything but.Bromance Meter: 9
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Tiger & DL3
Davis Love III was another mentor for Tiger early in his PGA Tour career. The two will get plenty of time together at this year's Ryder Cup.Bromance Meter: 5
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Tiger & "Double D"
Woods gained respect for David Duval in the late '90s when the mercurial Duval supplanted him atop the world ranking. They also teamed up to capture the 2000 World Cup (above).Bromance Meter: 7
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Tiger & NB3
Tiger's oldest buddy on this list, Notah Begay III gave Tiger the nerdy nickname "Urkel" during their time together at Stanford. The fact that Woods still participates in Begay's annual charity golf tournament -- let alone talks to him -- is proof he must really like him.Bromance Meter: 9
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Tiger & "Cookie"
Another older confidant of Woods', John Cook (pictured with Woods at the 2011 Presidents Cup Gala) was the go-to guy for updates on Woods' progress in Isleworth practice rounds. Sample quote: "If he takes that game up there, I'd be hard-pressed to see anybody beating him."Bromance Meter: 8
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Tiger & Arjun Atwal
Another former neighbor of Tiger's at Isleworth, Arjun Atwal emerged as one of Woods' favorite practice rounds in the wake of his 2009 scandal. Like Cook, Atwal has been quick to predict big things for Woods. "I seriously think he's going to be even better than before," Atwal said earlier this year.Bromance meter: 9
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Tiger & Bubba
Watson was a frequent practice round partner of Woods' in his early years on tour, but the relationship hit a rough patch in 2011, when Watson remarked that Woods' swing "was going the wrong way." The hard feelings wore off, however, and Woods was quick to offer Watson congratulations on his Masters win last April.Bromance Meter: 5
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Tiger & Scott McCarron
When he was playing a full schedule on tour, McCarron was a regular member of the "Dawn Patrol" group of players Woods often plays with to avoid massive crowds early in the weeks of tournaments.Bromance Meter: 6
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Tiger & "Freddie"
Woods and Fred Couples have long been close, but their relationship has really thrived at the past two Presidents Cups. Couples made Tiger a captain's pick in 2011 and when Woods came through for the clinching point, the two shared this touching embrace.Bromance Meter: 9
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Tiger & Sean O'Hair
Another younger player who Woods has somewhat taken under his wing is O'Hair. The two men even shared a swing coach before O'Hair parted ways with Sean Foley, but they continue to play practice rounds together, as they did here at the 2012 Masters.Bromance Meter: 7
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Tiger & "Jimbo"
Before Woods took up with Steve Stricker, Furyk was Woods' go-to partner in team play, with the pair going 2-0-1 in the 2005 Presidents. "I've always admired how he maneuvered his way around the golf course," Woods said of Furyk. "That's one of the reasons why we were such great partners together in the Cups is that we think alike." As a side note, Woods' original caddie on tour, Mike "Fluff" Cowan, has now been with Furyk more than a decade.Bromance meter: 8
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Tiger & Zach Johnson
Despite very different lifestyles, these two have become close in recent years -- this despite a moment at the 2006 Ryder Cup, when Woods put an adult movie on the TV at a high volumein the room the two were sharing just to see his religious roommate's reaction.Bromance Meter: 8
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Tiger & "Strick"
In recent years, Woods and Steve Stricker have become America's dynamic duo in team competition. The two have also become practice green buddies, often giving each other lessons, even during tournaments in which they are competing against each other.Bromance Meter: 10
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Tiger & Rory
It's rare that Woods lets another top player get very close to him, but that has happened with Rory McIlroy. The newest bromance has the most star power and has the potential to last a long time. "He hits it great, putts it great, and on top of that, he's just a really nice kid," Woods said after they played the first round together at the 2012 BMW Championship.Bromance Meter: 10
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