There is no question that no golfer has had a bigger impact on the game over the last 50 years than Tiger Woods.
With Tiger Woods turning 50 this month, it has provided a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the legacy the 15-time major champion has created. The hope is that he can still add to that legacy in the years to come.
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Woods is perhaps the most talented golfer of all-time. Meanwhile, few players have had a bigger hand in shaping the game that we see today.
What is so fascinating about Woods is that his impact, and his ability to break into the mainstream, was almost immediate.
How Tiger Woods impacted TV ratings in his first year on the PGA Tour as a professional
Woods turned professional in August 1996. While he failed to put himself in contention on his first start, he did provide a sign of what was to come with a hole in one at the Greater Milwaukee Open.
Within 12 months, he had won six times. Of course, the highlight came at The Masters in 1997 as he went on to win by 12 shots at Augusta National.
And it seems that everyone was desperate to keep an eye on the youngster’s progress. As reported by the LA Times in August 1997, CBS Sports saw a 24 per cent increase in their golf ratings in Woods’ first year as a professional.
Remarkably, Woods did not even need to be in the mix to win for the ratings to remain high. He had opened the door for a brand new audience and they quickly became hooked.
Meanwhile, the PGA Tour had negotiated a new television deal shortly after his Masters victory that was set to start in 1999. The new terms were worth $650 million – approximately twice as much as the previous deal.
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It is truly incredible to think that one player could have such a significant impact on the game.
Woods did not finish in the top 10 in the majors again in 1997 after winning in Georgia. In fact, he would have to wait until the 1999 PGA Championship for his second major victory.
But there was clearly an awareness of what was to come.
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Unlike the likes of Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus, there was an opportunity for fans across the globe to watch the majority of the shots Woods hit.
There was a sense of anticipation as many felt that no one had come closer to golfing perfection – at a time when the game felt somewhat stale and was crying out for another superstar.
His peak years may be behind him now, but there is no doubt that Woods remains the game’s most important figure.
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