Tiger Woods spoke to the assembled media at length following his historic Masters win at Augusta National on Sunday. The newly-minted 15-time major winner covered a number of topics. Here are 15 of our favorites.
1. On the tournament’s exciting finale:
“You couldn’t have had more drama than we all had out there, and now I know why I’m balding.”
2. On kids Sam and Charlie witnessing their dad’s first major title:
“They were there at the British Open last year when I had the lead on that back nine, and I made a few mistakes, cost myself a chance to win The Open title. I wasn’t going to let that happen to them twice.”
3. On whether he had doubts he could win again:
“The body’s not the same as it was a long time ago, but I still have good hands.”
4. On where this major ranks of his 15:
“My first 14 wins in majors were always — I had the lead in every one of them, or tied for the lead. To have the opportunity to come back like this, you know, it is probably one of the biggest wins I’ve ever had for sure because of it.”
5. On how he stayed calm while others charged on Sunday:
“Just kept telling myself, I have, along with Francesco, we have the most holes to play, so whatever they do, I’ll just birdie the same holes, then it’s a moot point.”
6. On his thoughts while playing the closing holes:
“I kept telling myself on 17, that tee shot, I said, I’ve been in this position before. I had a two‑shot lead with DiMarco and went bogey, bogey. Let’s go ahead and pipe this ball right down the middle. Hit a little flat squeezer out there and I did, I just smoked it.”
7. On his gum-chewing:
“Well, I’m chomping on this gum because I usually get hungry, I keep eating so much. And it curbs my appetite a little bit, which is nice.”
8. On his confidence this week:
“I just felt so prepared coming into this event. This year, my finishes don’t really reflect it, but I was starting to shape the golf ball the way that I know I can, which I needed for this week.”
9. On his strategy on No. 12:
“I saw Brooksy ended up short. Poults ended up short, as well. And so I — when I was up there on the tee box and it was about my turn to go, I could feel that wind puff up a little bit, and it had been something — Brooksy is stronger than I am, and he flights it better than I do, so I’m sure he hit 9‑iron and didn’t make it. So I knew my 9‑iron couldn’t cover the flag, so I had to play left, and I said, just be committed, hit it over that tongue in that bunker. Let’s get out of here and let’s go handle the par 5s, and I did.”
10. On his contributions to the game:
“When I first turned pro, I was the only one in the gym, except Vijay. So it was just basically he and I for years, and now everyone trains. Everyone works on their bodies, besides their game, and hey, even Phil’s working out. Things have come a long way.”
11. On the toll the week has taken on his body:
“I can promise you one thing: I’m not going to hit a golf ball tomorrow.”
12. On what he was thinking as he waited to make his winning putt:
“The new green; that damn thing should have broke. I hit a pure putt. I remember that putt breaking and it just didn’t break.”
13. On being committed to his game plan:
“I kept telling myself to miss the ball in the correct spots, and I did, time and time again. I was very disciplined in what I was doing out there. Even when yesterday guys were shooting 64 left and right, I was just kind of going around, just handle your business, work your way up the board. We’ve still got a lot of golf, a lot of holes to play, and just make sure that I’m there in the end.”
14. On his newfound love for his teeball:
“I will tell you it’s the best I’ve felt with a driver in years.”
15. On wearing the green jacket for the fifth time:
“I’m excited about show‑and‑tell at school.”
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