Tiger's First Victory At Augusta: 1997 Masters

January 28, 2008

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Young and brash, Tiger had displayed his patented fist pump many times but none more important than during his winning Sunday stroll at Augusta National. It was as if he were punching away myths, doubts, double standards and social wrongs with each blow.Young and brash, Tiger had displayed his patented fist pump many times but none more important than during his winning Sunday stroll at Augusta National. It was as if he were punching away myths, doubts, double standards and social wrongs with each blow.

The gallery was 10-deep, all trying to get a close-up look at the phenom, whose focus was so sharp he hardly noticed a shot hit by playing partner Costantino Rocca all day. Not only were the Patrons entranced: Masters Sunday garnered a 15.8 overnight rating, which CBS claimed as a record for a golf major.The gallery was 10-deep, all trying to get a close-up look at the phenom, whose focus was so sharp he hardly noticed a shot hit by playing partner Costantino Rocca all day. Not only were the Patrons entranced: Masters Sunday garnered a 15.8 overnight rating, which CBS claimed as a record for a golf major.

Seve-like powerful yet wild off the tee at times, Tiger's assault on Augusta National was equal parts focused fury and derring-do. His 323.1-yard average off the tee was 23 yards longer than anybody else in the field. He was 13 under on the par 5s, reaching the 500-yard par-5 15th with a driver and a pitching wedge Thursday and Friday.Seve-like powerful yet wild off the tee at times, Tiger's assault on Augusta National was equal parts focused fury and derring-do. His 323.1-yard average off the tee was 23 yards longer than anybody else in the field. He was 13 under on the par 5s, reaching the 500-yard par-5 15th with a driver and a pitching wedge Thursday and Friday.

Tiger came into the Masters off a 59 at his home club, Isleworth, in which his iron play was so spot-on that he felt more in control of his swing than ever. That's why his first-nine 40 had him totally puzzled and frustrated. He played the next 36 holes in 16 under, setting scoring records for low middle 36 holes (131), low last 54 holes (200) and largest 54-hole lead (9 strokes). His 12-stroke margin of victory bested Jack Nicklaus' mark, set in 1965, by 3 shots.Tiger came into the Masters off a 59 at his home club, Isleworth, in which his iron play was so spot-on that he felt more in control of his swing than ever. That's why his first-nine 40 had him totally puzzled and frustrated. He played the next 36 holes in 16 under, setting scoring records for low middle 36 holes (131), low last 54 holes (200) and largest 54-hole lead (9 strokes). His 12-stroke margin of victory bested Jack Nicklaus' mark, set in 1965, by 3 shots.

Tiger allowed himself a moment of reflection in the waning holes of his historic victory. He played 72 holes without a three-putt, a proud accomplishment and testament to his ability to "die-putt" Augusta National's treacherous greens.Tiger allowed himself a moment of reflection in the waning holes of his historic victory. He played 72 holes without a three-putt, a proud accomplishment and testament to his ability to "die-putt" Augusta National's treacherous greens.

There were errant tee shots but it was a recovery from a pull-hooked 3-wood second shot at the par-5 eighth that gave Tiger a birdie and momentum after a shaky start to the final round. He didn't make a bogey on the back nine all week.There were errant tee shots but it was a recovery from a pull-hooked 3-wood second shot at the par-5 eighth that gave Tiger a birdie and momentum after a shaky start to the final round. He didn't make a bogey on the back nine all week.

Tiger's father, Earl, recovering from heart surgery, had counseled him to smell the roses along the way, and he did, breathing it all in.Tiger's father, Earl, recovering from heart surgery, had counseled him to smell the roses along the way, and he did, breathing it all in.

Tiger the historian knew the short par putt not only meant breaking the 72-hole scoring record shared by Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd, he was also aware that, at 21 years old and nearly three years younger than Seve Ballesteros in his first Masters victory, he had just become the tournament's youngest champion.Tiger the historian knew the short par putt not only meant breaking the 72-hole scoring record shared by Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd, he was also aware that, at 21 years old and nearly three years younger than Seve Ballesteros in his first Masters victory, he had just become the tournament's youngest champion.

The Green Jacket meant many things to Tiger, not the least of which was vindication for Charlie Sifford, who sent him a telegram of encouragement Sunday morning, Teddy Rhodes, Bill Spiller and all the other African-American players who never got a chance to compete in the Masters. He said as much in his victory speech.The Green Jacket meant many things to Tiger, not the least of which was vindication for Charlie Sifford, who sent him a telegram of encouragement Sunday morning, Teddy Rhodes, Bill Spiller and all the other African-American players who never got a chance to compete in the Masters. He said as much in his victory speech.

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Tiger's First Victory At Augusta: 1997 Masters

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