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: Mercedes Championship
Where: Plantation course in Kapalua, Hawaii
Date: January 6-9, 2000
Tiger Finish: Victory (in playoffs against Ernie Els)
Tiger Scorecard: 71-66-71-68–276 (-16)
Scene setting: Woods arrived in paradise for the winners-only event in just his second year at Kapalua, fresh off a 1999 campaign in which he won eight PGA Tour titles, including each of his last four starts. The main card was expected to be world No. 1 Woods against No. 2 David Duval, who had won four times last season, but it was fifth-ranked Ernie Els who would provide Woods with his toughest challenge.
How did it happen: Woods led by four shots from 36 holes while being immune to whipping winds during the second-round 66 holes, more than eight shots better than the field average. “This guy is on fire,” Els said of Woods that afternoon. “He has all the talent in the world. What can you do? You just have to stick to your guns. But he has bigger weapons than me. Els posted a 67 on Saturday to tie Woods on Sunday; Woods needed a good eagle to post 71 and match Els at 11-under and 54-hole. And the pair still had one hole to play in regulation on Sunday, thanks to Woods’ bogey on the 71st hole. On the finishing hole, a par 5, Woods hit a 3-wood that went up the slope to within 8 feet of the hole, and then saw Els beat it, hitting his 3-wood to 6 feet. Both players made their eagle putts, with Woods celebrating with his right hand and Els celebrating with a powerful waist-high fist pump. “I knew he was going to make that putt,” Woods said. “You should expect the best from the best players.” On the first extra hole, also No. 18, both players, who finished four shots ahead of third-place Duval in regulation, traded birdies before each took a long birdie look at the next, the par-4 10th hole. While Els was aimed at 35 feet, Woods got in first from about 40 feet and drained the ball. Elsa’s extension offer fell short by several rotations. “If you believe in something hard enough, it’s going to go in,” Woods said of his winning putt.
Historical significance: Woods became the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win five straight PGA Tour events, although Woods downplayed the streak at the time, noting that he finished sixth in the Johnnie Walker Championship, a European Tour event, in mid-November.
Memorable quote: “I think a legend is in the making. You helped, but he backed it up with his golf game. He is 24 years old. He’ll probably be bigger than Elvis when he’s 40. –
