25 years have passed since Tiger Woods’ historic 2000 season. As 2025 progresses, we’ll remember each of Woods’ starts, including his 10 wins around the world.
Firstly…
Tournament: Buick Invitation
Where: Torrey Pines GC (south/north), La Jolla, California
Dates: February 10-13
Tiger Finish: T-2
Tiger Scorecard: 71-68-67-68–274 (-14)
Scene setting: Woods earned his sixth consecutive official PGA Tour victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Stadium. The streak matches Ben Hogan’s 1948 streak, although he is still five straight wins shy of Byron Nelson’s record set in 1945. That’s a quick improvement for Woods and those coming off Pebble as inclement weather pushed the finish line to Monday. Woods, however, has tremendous momentum after taking seven shots from Matt Gogel with eight holes left to play, making an eagle on the par-4 15th hole and ultimately winning by two shots. Upon arriving at Torrey, Woods says, “I have a huge task ahead of me if I am to become the one [to break Byron Nelson’s record. … Whoever it is, you are going to have to play well for not only a long period of time, but you have to get lucky. For instance, if I shoot 64 on Monday and Matt Gogel goes out and shoots even par on the back, I don’t have a chance.”
How it happened: A year earlier at Torrey, Woods was nine shots back of leader Ted Tryba after 36 holes before mounting a comeback to win, his first of seven in the event, which is now the Farmers Insurance Open. This time, Woods finds himself trailing Davis Love III by six shots after an opening 71 on the North Course. “That’s fine,” Woods says afterward. “There’s a lot of holes to be played. I proved that last year.” Woods follows with a 68 on the South Course on Friday to enter the weekend T-22 and still six shots back, this time of Phil Mickelson, Shigeki Maruyama and Kirk Triplett. Mickelson then matches Woods’ Saturday 67 to remain six clear of the world No. 1 and follows by telling reporters, “For him to win, he’s going to have to shoot an extraordinary round. If I play well, I’m not going to worry about Tiger.” On cue, Woods rattles off five birdies in his first 13 holes on Sunday to pull even with Mickelson at 15 under. But Woods, who had gone 44 straight holes without a bogey, proceeds to drop shots on Nos. 14 and 16. Mickelson, meanwhile, plays his final seven holes in 3 under to beat Woods by four shots and end Woods’ quest for history.
Historical significance: Woods doesn’t win, but his $264,000 runner-up check does push him past Love for No. 1 on the PGA Tour’s all-time money list, a position he still hasn’t relinquished. Woods had earned $12,828,128 at that point, and he is now at $120,999,166, over $30 million ahead of current No. 2 Rory McIlroy.
Memorable quote: “First time I’ve been asked … in the last hour.” – Craig Stadler, when asked about Woods earlier in the week
