x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
How was Tiger Woods No. 1 for so long? He answered with 14 words
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

How was Tiger Woods No. 1 for so long? He answered with 14 words

By: Nick Piastowski
  • Follow on Twitter
October 12, 2024
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Tiger Woods, Jason Day

Tiger Woods and Jason Day in February at the Genesis Invitational.

Getty Images

Jason Day laughs now, because it’s funny to him on a few levels. For one, Tiger Woods answered his question self-deprecatingly. But there’s also a nugget of hard truth to the response that makes Day smile too. 

The query?   

What kept you at No. 1 for so long?

Day was talking on this week’s “The Smylie Show” — which you can listen to in full here — where part of the conversation looked at Day’s time atop the golf world, and specifically the commitment to get there. The podcast’s host, Smylie Kaufman, noted that Day’s devotion reminded him of Woods’, and that led to this response:

“You had to have, it was — to get to the best, it’s a lifestyle choice,” Day said on the podcast. “Your whole life has to be in on that goal of being the best. You can’t — it’s very difficult. Some of the guys can do it. Like a Dustin Johnson and some of these other guys, they can naturally just get to No. 1, and just like, how do you do it so easily? … They don’t practice as hard as you or I, they’re kind of just naturally gifted in a way that they can do it and it just doesn’t look like it affects their lifestyle much. 

“And then there’s people like me and even Tiger, for instance.”

Woods? Really? At this point in the podcast, Day shared the story of his question — and Woods’ 14-word response. 

“I always laugh at this because — hey, what kept you at No. 1 for so long?” Day said on the podcast. “And he would look at me and go, I’m not as talented as you so I had to work harder than you. 

“I’m like, that is such a load of crap. You’re way more talented than me. But again, what he did great was that he matched great technique with unbelievable work ethic and also a great mental game. When you have that three-prong effect, it’s just going to give success.”

Was Day more talented than Woods? Did Woods work harder than Day to the tune of 69 more wins than him? (Woods has 82 victories; Day 13.) Was Woods poking fun at himself? Was he jabbing Day? We’ll let you figure that out. 

“It’s a lifestyle choice.” @JDayGolf reflects on what it took for him to reach golf’s pinnacle, the setbacks that came from it, and memorable conversations with the legend who led the way, @TigerWoods.

New episode available now on Youtube and wherever you get your podcasts,… pic.twitter.com/tua9RCa1A8

— The Smylie Show (@thesmylieshow) October 9, 2024

But Day also appreciated Woods’ drive. Day, too, left no golf ball unturned. 

“Getting back to being No. in the world, it was, what am I eating, how am I sleeping, is there any drama in my life that I need to get rid of?” Day said on the podcast. “Because the amount of stuff that happens personally at home affects you on the golf course, so you got to understand that having a toxic relationship or having drama off the golf course actually affects you on the golf course. Then you go, how’s my practice schedule, how’s my gym work and then you got to attack it from all different angles and go, OK, well, everything’s working in order, go out and play, and then my goal, if I’m wanting to do it and I’m willing to push it, then you’ll, at some point, if have all those things working in order, you’ll get there. 

“But, god, it’s hard.”

Editor’s note: To listen to the entire “The Smylie Show” podcast with Day, please click here. And to watch Day on GOLF’S “Breakthrough,” please click here or scroll below. 

Latest In News

7 hours ago

Tiger Woods makes surprise White House visit ahead of PGA Championship

9 hours ago

At the core of Sahith Theegala's success: the support of his mother

9 hours ago

2025 Truist Championship Saturday TV coverage: How to watch Round 3

10 hours ago

2025 Truist Championship Saturday tee times: Round 3 pairings

Nick Piastowski

Nick Piastowski

Golf.com Editor

Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine. In his role, he is responsible for editing, writing and developing stories across the golf space. And when he’s not writing about ways to hit the golf ball farther and straighter, the Milwaukee native is probably playing the game, hitting the ball left, right and short, and drinking a cold beer to wash away his score. You can reach out to him about any of these topics — his stories, his game or his beers — at nick.piastowski@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account

Related Articles

News
Tiger Woods poses with U.S. Senator Jim Banks at the White House on Friday.

Tiger Woods makes surprise White House visit ahead of PGA Championship

By: Kevin Cunningham
News
Jason Day

What amateurs fail to do with difficult shots, according to major winner 

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Tiger Woods hits a shot out of the bunker during the 2019 WGC-Mexico Championship.

Ex-pro reveals impossible Tiger Woods shot he failed miserably at recreating

By: Josh Schrock
News
Nelly Korda

Nelly Korda's role in my greatest loss, and a Ben Hogan gem | Weekend 9

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Rory McIlroy poses with the Masters trophy after winning the 2025 Masters.

Tiger Woods gives Rory McIlroy heartfelt message after Masters win

By: Josh Schrock
News
tiger woods hits a shot with an iron during round 2 of the 2024 open championship

Masters champion explains why Tiger Woods underachieved in his career

By: Josh Schrock
News
PGA Tour pro Jason Day stands on the 16th green during the 2025 Masters at Augusta National.

'Not going to name names': Jason Day shares blunt truth about Masters contenders

By: Kevin Cunningham
News
Tiger Woods hits a shot with Mark O'Meara watching at the Masters.

Why this major champ quit playing with Tiger Woods right before the '97 Masters

By: Jack Hirsh
News
Masters Champion Tiger Woods speaks via a video as Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament Fred S. Ridley speaks to the media in special pre-event press conference prior to the Masters

There is Tiger Woods news at this Masters. But no Tiger Woods

By: Michael Bamberger
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