Chapter 58

Target World Challenge

Sherwood Country Club

Thousand Oaks, California

December 9–12, 2004

Shortly following his wedding, Tiger opens up about another relationship.

He is working with Hank Haney. And he is making another swing change.

“I felt like I could get better,” Tiger says. “I’d like to play my best more frequently, and that’s the whole idea. That’s why you make changes. I thought I could become more consistent and play at a higher level more often.… I’ve always taken risks to try to become a better golfer, and that’s one of the things that has gotten me this far.”

It pays off on Sunday, December 12, 2004, at the Target World Challenge, the sixth outing of a charity golf event that benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. Tiger finishes at 16 under, claiming the “Tiger” trophy, a wooden tiger with a front paw atop a golf ball emblazoned with a map of the world.

He donates his $1.25 million winnings toward the completion of the Tiger Woods Learning Center. The $25 million facility for underserved youth in Anaheim, California, is inspired by Earl—who rides a golf cart around the tournament, to the delight of his son.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen him on the golf course following my play in a lot of years,” Tiger says, smiling broadly.

As for his play, Tiger says, “Every shot I wanted to hit, I hit.” It feels like a triumph. “I had to take baby steps and I did that all year,” he says. “Then eventually it became nine holes and 18, then 36 and 54, now a whole tournament. It’s exciting.”

Mark O’Meara is already looking ahead to what Tiger will do next. “Hey, he’s human,” O’Meara says. “Even Tiger Woods has moments of nervousness, doubt, lack of confidence. And he’s had more of those lately. But believe me, I know him and I’ve seen what’s coming. I’ve seen it in practice. I guarantee you he is more complete, has more shots, has more control. We haven’t seen the best of Tiger Woods.”

On January 23, 2005, Tiger takes the top prize in the Buick Invitational.

In March, it’s on to the Ford Championship at Doral, a suburb of Miami, on a course known as the Blue Monster, packed with thirty-five thousand fans eager to see Tiger take on Phil Mickelson in the “Duel at Doral.”

March 5 is Earl’s seventy-third birthday. Tiger shoots a third-round 63 and dedicates it to his ailing father. “Happy birthday, dad. I told you I would shoot a low one for you, and I did,” Tiger says to Earl via NBC Sports.

In the final, Tiger eagles on 12, and Mickelson answers with birdies on 13 and 14—not enough to stop Tiger’s surge to a 24-under 264, giving him his second win of the season.

With the victory at Doral, Tiger regains his number one Official World Golf Ranking, and Sports Illustrated applauds the return of the “Wow Factor” unique to the “Tiger Classic” style of play synonymous with the Tiger Slam era.

Tiger’s confidence soars as he eyes winning a potential fourth Green Jacket at next month’s Masters. On Thursday, he scores a 2-over 74, then follows with 66. Darkness suspends play after nine holes on Saturday, but Tiger’s stellar play has brought him within striking distance of leader Chris DiMarco, causing reporters to ask Tiger “if he ever thought he would be only four strokes off the Masters lead Saturday night.”

Without hesitation, Tiger answers, “Yes.”

“You’re that confident?”

“Yes,” he repeats.

Tiger and DiMarco loosen up on the range Sunday morning. DiMarco, a three-time all-American golfer for the University of Florida, hits a personalized “Go Gators” golf ball fifty yards. Tiger marches into the middle of the practice ground, picks up the ball, marks it with a Sharpie, and hits it back to DiMarco. “F the Gators” the ball now reads.

The playful mood evaporates as Tiger gains seven shots to take the lead, an advantage he maintains through most of the fourth round.

On the 16th, he sinks the perfect low chip from against the second cut of rough for birdie.

“In your LIFE have you seen anything like that?!” exclaims announcer Verne Lundquist from the CBS booth.

“That was more of a creative shot, just trying to spin the ball, and it was also luck,” declares Tiger. “Under the circumstances, it’s one of the best shots I’ve ever hit.”

He then bogeys the next two holes. DiMarco pars both, precipitating a playoff with the score tied at 276.

This is fun, Tiger thinks.

DiMarco pars again on the first playoff hole. Tiger birdies from fifteen feet for the win.

It’s an incredible achievement—his fourth Masters and his ninth major. But the one word that most describes what he’s feeling? Validation.

“Hank and I have put some serious hours into this,” Tiger says of today’s momentous win. “To play as beautifully as I did this entire week is pretty cool.”

“That’s Tiger Woods,” marvels Haney. Tiger “really made a commitment to go with everything we’ve been working on,” he says. “He weathered the storm and rode it out. He just has a real strong will and it showed.”

Surrounded by cheering fans, Tiger first hugs his mother, Tida, and then kisses his wife, Elin. The two will next head off on a celebratory vacation to the Cayman Islands.

Notably missing from the 18th green is Earl, who’s in Augusta but watching on live TV.

“He’s not able to come out here today, or all week,” Tiger says of his dad. “He’s hanging in there and so that’s why it meant so much for me to be able to win this tournament with him kind of struggling, maybe give him a little hope, a little more fire to keep fighting.”

A tearful Tiger attempts to collect himself. “This is for Dad,” he says, nearly breathless with emotion. “Every year I’ve been lucky enough to win this tournament, my dad has been there to give me a hug. I can’t wait to get back to the house and give him a big bear hug.”

By the evening awards ceremony, Tiger’s smiling again. “I’m the first to win four Masters before the age of thirty,” the twenty-nine-year-old says. “That’s pretty neat.” He’s now tied Arnold Palmer’s Masters record; the only person to have won more is Jack Nicklaus, who’s earned six Green Jackets.

Tiger’s Green Jacket is a 42 long. “The first time I got it,” he says, “I made sure I got it big, because you know a lot of the guys have told me that either the jackets shrink or they might expand. So I got my jacket just a touch big.”

In the warm glow of the Georgia twilight, Tiger extends his gratitude to the coach who’s helped him regain his confidence and his top form. “I feel the work I’ve done with Hank has turned things in the right direction,” he says. “I hit some beautiful golf shots this week.”