Phil Mickelson was certainly one of the biggest rivals of Tiger Woods’ career – and it seems that there were few players that Woods enjoyed beating more.
For a long time, it appeared that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson really did not get along. Few will forget how Hal Sutton’s decision to pair the two together at the 2004 Ryder Cup completely backfired.
It was only in the latter stages of the pair’s careers where they seemed to become much more civil, with Mickelson and Woods taking part in the first addition of The Match in 2018. But clearly, that has not always been the case.
And perhaps no single moment summed up the simmering animosity between the two than when they were paired together during the 2001 Masters, with Woods leading going into the final round while Mickelson was one shot back.
What Tiger Woods said when he outdrove Phil Mickelson with a three wood at the 2001 Masters
Mickelson hit one of the most famous shots the 13th hole at Augusta National has ever seen back in 2010. But nine years earlier on that same hole, he was dealing with the fact that he had been outdriven by Woods’ three wood.
And according to writer Kevin Cook – who was speaking to The Golfer’s Journal – Woods had a brilliant comment to add insult to injury as they walked up the fairway.
“Their personalities were so different that I think it was crucial for Tiger to show Phil who was boss. And it was fortunate for Tiger that they were playing together. They get to 13, and Phil Mickelson’s carefully not watched him swing, which I think is an interesting thing too. You don’t want that image of that swing in your head when you’re trying to compete with this person,” he said.
“They get to 13 and Tiger has been practising this shot all winter long, and not only that winter but previous winters too. Phil just busts a big fade way down the 13th fairway. Tiger steps up with a three wood and slings a big draw around past it.
“And at that point, they’re walking off and Tiger’s going to lay it on thick when Mickelson looks up and says, ‘do you always hit your three wood that far?’ And Tiger takes a beat and says, ‘no, sometimes further’.”
How Woods would go on to create history at Augusta National
Of course, many will already know what happened at the 2001 Masters. Woods would go on to win and complete the Tiger Slam, having won the final three majors of the 2000 season.
It was one of Woods’ harder-fought victories, with David Duval and Mickelson putting the pressure on during the final round.
Woods would finish on 16 under par, while Mickelson’s two under par final round was only good enough for third place as Duval separated the pair.
It seems remarkable to think now, but Mickelson was still awaiting his first major title at the time. And that wait would continue until the world’s best returned to Augusta National in 2004.
Woods meanwhile, would win the green jacket three more times, including in 2002. Of course, it was the Georgia pines which provided the stage for the most recent major victory of Woods’ career, when he won in stunning fashion in 2019.
Mickelson has undoubtedly had one of the greatest careers of all-time. But, just like the tee shot on 13 23 years ago, Woods usually had an answer for how he could outshine his rival.
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