Tiger Woods is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, but the 15-time major champion says that he “didn’t really have it” in most events he won

Tiger Woods doesn’t believe he was firing on all cylinders for the most part of his career (Image: Getty Images)

Tiger Woods showed modesty in stating that he “didn’t really have it” in the majority of tournaments he’s won throughout his illustrious career. Boasting 82 PGA Tour victories, 15 major titles, and an induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the 49-year-old from Florida stands as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Throughout his career, Woods has topped the world rankings for an astounding 683 weeks, including a striking run of 281 consecutive weeks from 2005 to 2010. Though current players like Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, and Xander Schauffele are making waves on the pro circuit, they’ve got their work cut out if they aim to approach the indelible mark Woods has left on golf.

Surprisingly, though, amid his remarkable track record, Woods recently confessed that he wasn’t always at his peak during his competitive tenure. Speaking frankly on the PGA Tour’s YouTube channel, the sporting icon said: “People are probably amazed to hear this, but most of my events, I didn’t really have it.

“Those [the events I did have it] are the ones I won by a lot. But most of them were just hanging in there – not making a double, making a key par save. That was most of the events that I won,” reports the Mirror US. His comments highlight his high standards, steely competitiveness, and humility.

Elsewhere, Woods also reminisced about his peak performances, pinpointing three tournaments where he felt unbeatable: the 1997 Masters, the US Open of 2000 at Pebble Beach, and the British Open in the same year at St Andrews. He explained: “There are two events that I putted really well, and that was the ’97 Masters and the 2000 US Open at Pebble.

“But the best I ever hit it was at the 2000 British Open. I felt like I had the ball on a string and I could do anything that I wanted to.” Fast forward to 2025, and Woods is now ranked 1124th by the WGR, a stark contrast to his once dominant position.

Tiger Woods has shown modesty (Image: Getty Images)

His last major triumph was the 2019 Masters at Augusta National, clinching victory with a score of -13, just one stroke ahead of rivals Schauffele, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka. The legendary golfer has recently scaled back his PGA Tour appearances, competing in only five events during the 2024 season due to ongoing injury battles.

Woods had to pull out of the Genesis Invitational due to flu-like symptoms and later finished 60th at the Masters in April. He then failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship at Valhalla, the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2, and the Open at Royal Troon. While his schedule for 2025 remains uncertain, the iconic figure is anticipated to grace the greens in a select number of tournaments, health permitting.