Tiger Woods was among the high-profile names taking on The Masters in 2008, hosted as ever by Augusta National.
Many eyes were on the iconic American, who at that stage of his career boasted four wins at The Masters.
Woods had triumphed in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005, joining only Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as those with four or more wins at Augusta National.
Nicklaus remains at the very top of the all-time list with six, while Palmer clinched the green jacket four times.
Tiger Woods felt Jack Nicklaus’ 10 Masters wins prediction was ‘out there’
With Woods chasing his fifth title in 2008, he was reminded beforehand about Nicklaus’ comments from many years earlier, claiming that Woods would win ten green jackets.
Asked for his thoughts upon hearing that prediction and if at that time he thought he’d be near five at some point in his career, he said: “Well, I felt that he was a little out there by saying that. I haven’t made a cut yet.
“But you know, I just think that the way the golf course was set up then, versus the way it’s set up now, guys with power had just a huge advantage. Obviously you could see that.
“I remember playing No. 2, my first year, my longest club I hit in there was a 4-iron. You know, when I won in ’97, I hit two wedges into 15. The golf course has changed quite a bit since then.
“You know, if it would have stayed that way, guys with big power could have taken over all the bunkers and shortened up this golf course quite a bit but that’s changed quite a bit.”
Of course, Woods won The Masters in 2019 for his fifth green jacket, placing him second in the all-time list ahead of Palmer and behind Nicklaus.
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How Tiger Woods once said he felt about trash talk in golf
Interestingly, Woods was also tasked with discussing the rarity of trash talk in golf at Augusta National back in 2008.
Jason Day, Rory Sabbatini and Ian Poulter were all names thrown to the legend, who was asked if such comments annoy, motivate or amuse him.
Woods issued a classy response: “I think it’s just funny. Some of the guys, that’s just their personalities, you know.
“But, hey, my father’s always taught me, just go out there and just play and let your clubs do the talking and that should be enough.”
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Woods absolutely let his clubs do the talking that week, although he did ultimately fall just short of another major win.
The American finished second at The Masters in 2008, three shots behind South African Trevor Immelman.
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