x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
What it’s like when Tiger Woods stares into your soul
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Over $140 of value - Just $39.99

InsideGOLF
News

What it’s like when Tiger Woods stares into your soul

By: James Colgan
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
August 11, 2020
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
tiger woods stares at camera

Few can say they've wound up on the receiving end of a 'Tiger stare.'

Getty Images

Tiger Woods’ legendary mental edge is so celebrated, it has entered itself into golf canon separate from the accolades of Tiger Woods, the golfer.

Tiger’s remarkable ability to hunt down, pummel and outlast his opponents might never be replicated in golf (or in professional sports) again. But there’s a downside to being one-of-a-kind, and it’s that his edge is so rare, few people outside of the PGA Tour can claim to have experienced it firsthand.

On this week’s Subpar, hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz talk to one of those people, Arron Olberhoser. The former PGA Tour player (and current Golf Channel analyst) first butted heads with Woods when the two were in college, a memory Olberhoser says changed him forever.

“We step onto the first tee at North Ranch, and that was the first time that I remember getting the blank stare,” Olberhoser said. “We all know the blank stare if you’ve ever played with Tiger and come up against when everything’s on the line. Doesn’t matter if it’s a college tournament or tiddly winks, he wants to beat you.”

As Olberhoser remembers it, everything changed the instant Tiger stepped up to the tee box.

“So, I remember going to shake his hand,” he said. “[Tiger] is always the last one on the tee, as we all know. And here he comes. He walks onto the tee and he’s not looking at you, he’s looking through you as he’s shaking your hand on the tee. Like you’re not even there.”

Olberhoser, then at USC, became one of the first to receive the famed Tiger stare.

“It’s almost half-sociopathic looking, like he’s going to murder you,” laughed. “Honestly. It’s that bad. He means 100 percent business.”

News
tiger woods pga championship
Tiger Woods hints at future schedule, expectations after PGA finish
By: Dylan Dethier

It was a feeling that stuck with Olberhoser, long before Tiger Woods had become Tiger Woods.

“That, to me, was the first time I had really felt truly physically intimidated by another human being,” he said. “I had to gather myself really quickly and say ‘okay, I’ve got to take care of my business.'”

Ultimately, Tiger’s legendary mental edge would help him reign in yet another victory against Olberhoser.

“He ends up clipping me by a couple, I end up finishing third, he ends up winning the golf tournament,” Olberhoser said. “But I learned a lot about myself that day.”

To watch the rest of Olberhoser’s Subpar interview, including how he played through the FedEx Cup Playoffs with a broken hand, check out the video below.

Latest In News

1 hour ago

9 surprising players you won’t see at the 2025 PGA Championship 

2 hours ago

Major champ's yip fix, 1 caddie's unlikely payday | Monday Finish

3 hours ago

Jordan's turn? Scottie surging? 10 burning PGA Championship questions

6 hours ago

The biggest winner on Sunday? This fill-in caddie

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

News
Former NLF QB Derek Anderson hits a tee shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the Bob Hope Classic.

'This sh-- is stressful!' Why caddying on PGA Tour shook this NFL QB

By: Kevin Cunningham
News
Rory McIlroy watches a chip at the Zurich Classic.

'I was like, Oh, s---': Why this rookie caddie apologized to Rory McIlroy

By: Josh Berhow
News
Jordan Spieth of the United States acknowledges the crowd after a putt during the final round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson 2025 at TPC Craig Ranch on May 04, 2025 in McKinney, Texas.

Truist Championship Subpar picks: 2 players to watch in Philadelphia

By: Jessica Marksbury
News
J.J. Watt's round at Augusta was a hot topic on this week's episode of Subpar.

Colt Knost details J.J. Watt's round at Augusta National

By: Jessica Marksbury
News
trey mcbride runs a route

Trey McBride learned of massive new contract… while on the golf course

By: Josh Berhow
News
Sungjae Im watches a tee shot.

CJ Cup Byron Nelson Subpar picks: 2 players to watch in Texas

By: Josh Berhow
News
Sarah Schmelzel hits a shot at the 2024 Solheim Cup.

Sarah Schmelzel explains untimely Solheim Cup wardrobe malfunction

By: Josh Berhow
News
Sarah Schmelzel looks on at a tournament.

LPGA pro explains viral (and self-deprecating) hot-mic moment

By: Josh Berhow
News
Sahith Theegala

Zurich Classic Subpar picks: 2 teams to watch in New Orleans

By: Josh Berhow
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version