Absolute Domination: Tiger Woods and his Historic Triumph at the 2000 US Open

Tiger Woods’ Unforgettable Domination at the 2000 U.S. Open: A Milestone at Pebble Beach

Twenty-five years ago, the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, California, became a celebration and a turning point in golf history. The tournament paid tribute to the defending champion, Payne Stewart, who tragically died in a plane crash less than eight months earlier. In addition, it marked the farewell of Jack Nicklaus, a legend with 18 Grand Slam titles, who played his 44th and final U.S. Open. However, the event would be etched in collective memory as the coronation of Tiger Woods, who delivered one of the most spectacular performances in the history of men’s golf. Woods arrived at Pebble Beach after his 19th victory on the PGA Tour, the fourth of the season, achieved at the Memorial Tournament, where he became the first two-time champion of the event organized by Nicklaus. With only 24 years old, Woods had already surpassed 15 million dollars in professional earnings on the field. His dominance was evident, having won the 1997 Masters by a record margin of 12 strokes and the 1999 PGA Championship, which put him halfway to the Grand Slam.

If the conditions are dry and windy, then it’s a matter of patience. But if they’re throwing darts, then Tiger will score tremendously low, regardless of the conditions. And he’ll probably break the Open record.

Jack Nicklaus

Nicklaus himself had set the U.S. Open scoring record at 272 strokes in 1980. The expectation was high, and Woods did not disappoint.

“He had already arrived in a big way in a tournament [at the 1997 Masters], but that was the beginning of Tiger winning tournaments by many strokes,” commented Stewart Cink. “Not just winning, but winning by a lot, more than five or six strokes. That’s unheard of considering how close we all are in terms of skill.” Woods’ dominance was undeniable.

Woods’ caddie, Steve Williams, quickly realized that his protégé was in top form. After meticulous preparation, Woods demonstrated astonishing precision. Sam Reeves, a close friend of Woods’ coach, Butch Harmon, did not hesitate to express his amazement: “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

In the first round, Woods delivered a flawless card of 65 strokes, without bogeys, taking the lead. Johnny Miller, NBC golf commentator, predicted: “I think Tiger is going to break all the U.S. Open records this week and maybe win by a large margin.” Woods’ performance was destined for history.

The second round offered memorable moments, including a spectacular shot by Woods from the rough that defied gravity and logic. Roger Maltbie, NBC’s on-course reporter, summed it up perfectly: “It’s not a fair fight.” Woods closed the round with a score of 69 strokes, consolidating his lead and establishing a record advantage in the tournament. The third round, marked by strong winds, did not stop Woods, who achieved a 71, being the only player under par. His 10-stroke lead over Ernie Els was the widest in U.S. Open history with one round to go. The expectation was maximum, and the golf world was preparing to witness an unprecedented spectacle.

In the final round, Woods signed a card of 67 strokes, without bogeys, for a total of 272, 12 under par. His victory by 15 strokes was the widest in the history of major championships, surpassing Old Tom Morris’s record of 1862. “It was a complete show with a single guy,” commented Dan Hicks, NBC golf commentator. “This was history, and I think people realized how a single guy can be so dominant.” The 2000 U.S. Open became the “Sistine Chapel” of major championship performances, an achievement that, according to many, will never be matched. After this victory, Woods continued his streak, winning the British Open at St. Andrews and completing the “Tiger Slam” with his victory at the 2001 Masters. His skill and dominance in golf were etched in history.