The major championship course which Tiger Woods said was the toughest he’s ever played in his entire career

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The majority of Tiger Woods’ major championship victories have involved winning scores well under par.

Woods’ 2000 US Open win saw him finish at 12 under, 15 strokes better than second place, which was a tie at three over.

In the same year, Woods finished 19 under at The Open, which was held at St Andrews’ Old Course. The American’s finishing total broke his record for the lowest winning score in a major championship, which was set at the 1997 Masters.

However, Woods won majors on two occasions while close to the even-par mark: the 2002 US Open at Bethpage and the 2008 edition at Torrey Pines.

Given the difficulty of both courses, it’s easy to assume either Bethpage or Torrey would be Woods’ toughest test. However, the 15-time major winner named another iconic American venue as the most demanding course he’s played.

What Tiger Woods said about Whistling Straights in 2004

The 2004 PGA Championship at Whistling Straights came in the middle of a barren major run for Woods.

After his victory at Bethpage in 2002, the American’s next win would come at the 2005 Masters, three years later.

Under the stewardship of Hank Haney after splitting from Butch Harmon, Woods was trying to regain his major touch. Whistling Straights, however, was a tough test for the 29-year-old.

With the wind getting up in Wisconsin, Woods claimed Whistling Straights had the potential to be the most challenging course he had ever played.

“If the wind blows like it did today, I don’t think I’ve played a course as difficult as this,” Woods said. “In today’s wind, every hole had a cross-wind, and on every hole, a marginal shot – not a bad shot, a marginal one – has the possibility of turning your score into a double bogey.”

He added: “There are times when if you get into the long grass, you will be looking to put your ball into the nearest bunker, just so as you can advance it towards the green. If the wind blows, the winner will do well and score around par.”

• READ MORE: The ‘weirdest thing’ which happened with Tiger Woods on the range at the 2006 Open Championship before he won the event

What happened during the 2004 US Open at Whistling Straights

Despite Woods’ comments about the Straights Course, scoring was still relatively low.

Northern Irishman Darren Clarke carded an opening round seven-under 65 to sit one shot clear of Ernie Else and Justin Leonard after the first day’s play.

Clarke failed to capitalise on Friday, and Leonard and Vijay Singh held a share of the lead heading into the weekend at nine under.

The big Fijian would then shoot 69 on moving day to take a one-shot lead into the final round. However, Whistling Straights showed its teeth on Sunday, with Chris DiMarco, Leonard and Singh eventually ending the day tied on eight under.

Singh would eventually win his final major after a three-man playoff.