One of Tiger Woods’ most memorable victories came during the 2006 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Twelve months on from his victory at the Old Course, Woods led from the end of day two right through until the close of play on Sunday, finishing on 18 under, two shots clear of his compatriot, Chris DiMarco.
Woods’ win at Hoylake was notable for two reasons. First, it came just two months after the passing of his father, Earl. Earl played an essential role in his son’s development before Butch Harmon took control of Woods’ swing in 1993.
Secondly, Woods refused to use his driver throughout the tournament, instead using his 2-iron on Royal Liverpool’s baked fairways. The 15-time major winner didn’t find a fairway bunker all week.
Given the circumstances and the way Woods was playing, there was little chance of him being beaten on North West England’s famous links.
That’s also the view shared by Hunter Mahan, who has detailed just how intimidating it was watching Woods on the range ahead of the third round.
What Tiger Woods did on the range at 2006 Open Championship
Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, Mahan detailed how the practice area came to a standstill as soon as Woods arrived.
“I got a good one. So I played when he won Liverpool just after his dad died. I played early on Saturday, so we made the cut. We flew around and had eight hours with nothing to do, so we went out to the range and the short game area and just ate a little bit. The leaders were coming around. Ernie was already their [practicing]. Then, this car pulls up. He gets out, he’s got his balls, and Steve goes in the back and got his clubs,” Mahan said.
“Everyone on the range watched him get out of the car and walk over with the bag, and put the balls down. Takes like a deep breath and pulls his glove out and everyone is watching him and then he just starts hitting wedges. Then my caddie looks at me and says ‘I don’t care who you are that was intimidating’. It was the weirdest thing. He was shorter than you physically but that aura mentality, he’s a big man. When we walked out of that car, like he was the hulk. Boys, you got no chance today. I hadn’t seen anything like it.”
What did Tiger Woods say immediately after his 2006 Open Championship victory
After sealing victory, Woods became the first player since Tom Watson in 1982-83 to win The Open in consecutive years. Woods’ emotions were centred mainly around the loss of his father.
“You know me,” Woods told reporters at Royal Liverpool. “So it’s just, I guess, all the things that we’ve gone through of late, and I guess I’m kind of the one who bottles things up a little bit and moves on, tries to deal with things in my own way.
“But at that moment, it just came pouring out, and of all the things that my father has meant to me and the game of golf, and I just wish he could have seen it one more time. I was pretty bummed out after not winning The Masters because I knew that was the last major he was ever going to see. So that one was that one hurt a little bit. And finally, to get this one, and it’s just unfortunate that he wasn’t here to see it.”
Woods’ 2006 is still, statistically, one of the best season-long performances ever seen. According to the data, since 1983, no player has recorded a higher win percentage. Tiger’s eight wins in 15 starts saw him a victory occur 53% of the time. 17% higher than Scottie Scheffler in the 2024 season.
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