June of 2000 was the month that Tiger Woods put forth a performance to engrave his name on the granite face of golf history. He carded a bogey-free 67 in the final round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, finishing with a remarkable 72-hole total of 12-under 272. This victory was the ultimate demonstration of Woods’ rare and preternatural talent. He closed out the tournament an astounding 15 strokes clear of the field, with fellow competitors Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jiménez tied at 3-over par.
Woods’ commanding lead was established through a series of stunning plays, marking him as the only golfer to finish under par throughout the championship. Unsurprisingly, his performance was one of precision and consistency, easily identified keeping that focus in even the toughest weather conditions and highest pressure situations.
A Masterclass in Golf
On day two of the U.S. Open, Woods had already begun to a set a tone for his performance. He shot a record-setting bogey-free 6-under 65, taking a one-stroke advantage over Jiménez. Each of those rounds served as a display of the young player’s unreal shot-making prowess and supreme mental toughness.
On the picturesque, cliffside par-3 seventh hole, Woods made the crowd quiet with a brilliant tee shot that settled only five feet from the hole. He drained the birdie putt with authority, taking him to 8-under for the week. This performance was not just about scoring. It was an exhibition of skill that left spectators and commentators in awe.
“Everybody else wanted to mark the ball and come back the next day. But, you know, Tiger likes to leave with an exclamation mark.” – Steve Williams
Even when the weather went to hell with heavy fog coming in on the afternoon wave, Woods might have had a contagious optimism. He managed to post an even-par 71 on a day when the notorious winds whipped across Pebble Beach and the greens dried out, showcasing his resilience in difficult conditions.
The Road to Victory
By the time Woods reached the 54-hole checkpoint, he had already created an imposing cushion at 8-under par. He was an unfathomable ten shots clear of Els. This lead represented the largest margin ever recorded at that stage of a U.S. Open. He largely upheld that edge with dazzling performance. We can’t overstate how important his strategic decision-making was, though.
By the time he was at the 17th hole, Woods understood that he had just one ball remaining. So he didn’t tell anyone, not even his trusted caddie, Steve Williams because he was afraid that doing so would put pressure on himself.
“I didn’t want to tell him it’s our last golf ball because he probably would have told me to get my ass onto 17-Mile Drive and onto a Greyhound bus out of there.” – Steve Williams
Tens of thousands packed the grounds as the final rounds drew everyone’s attention, with Woods finishing the 12th hole in twilight from the re-formed fog. His performance on the 17th hole was particularly memorable. After taking a wild swing at his ball, it somehow cleared the cliff and landed 18 feet from the hole, demonstrating his remarkable luck and skill.
A Historic Championship
Woods’ final score was the result of all that hard work. At the same time, it nearly doubled the streaming audience. His final two rounds became the most-watched U.S. Open rounds since viewership tracking began in 1975, highlighting his draw as a player and the excitement he brought to the sport.
After carding par on the 13th hole, Woods walked off the green and went right to his adoring audiences. Perhaps the cutest moment was when he tossed his ball to a young spectator, a simple act that showed his true character in addition to a fierce competitive fire.
“Hey, just watch this kid play for a few holes. This guy’s going to be the best player you’ve ever seen.” – Mark O’Meara
Woods’ triumph at Pebble Beach solidified his status not only as a favorite to win but as a dominant force in golf. His improbable ability to deliver when it counted most and perform above all in the most important moments has secured his place as one of sports’ all-time greats.
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