Tiger Woods never won the event now known as the Cognizant Classic, but the tournament did provide the stage for a first in his illustrious career back in 2012.
The 2012 event was notable as it saw Rory McIlroy go to world number one with his victory at PGA National. The Northern Irishman finished two shots clear of Tiger Woods and Tom Gillis.
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It would prove to be Woods’ best finish in six starts at the tournament. He would register the lowest final round score of his PGA Tour career on Sunday in Florida.
Tiger Woods shot 62 in the final round for the first time in his PGA Tour career
Woods began the last round nine shots behind McIlroy. However, he posted a 62 to bring himself back into contention.
The then 14-time major champion made four birdies and two eagles, including one at the par five 18th to leave himself with a chance of an unlikely victory.
Woods is yet to match or better the 62 he shot in the final round at PGA National 14 years ago. Obviously, it should be noted that the course was a par 70.
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A familiar foe had the best seat in the house for Woods’ round, with Ernie Els going on to finish the week in a tie for 21st.
As reported by ESPN, Els could not quite believe what he was seeing from his great rival.
“I said to him on the second hole, ‘I remember being your lucky charm, you S.O.B’,” he said. “And we had a good laugh. To me, it was the old Tiger back. The guy I finished second to all the time. It was him being him again. I don’t think he missed a shot all day.”
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It was a sign of what was to come from Woods over the remainder of 2012. He would go on to win at Bay Hill and Muirfield Village, and then secure a second victory at the AT&T National in his career.
Woods would finish the season in third place in the FedEx Cup, with only Brandt Snedeker and Rory McIlroy ahead of him.
Interestingly, the 2012 Honda Classic also remains the only time that Woods and McIlroy have found themselves in the top two of a PGA Tour event.
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