Just when Tiger Woods thought he had experienced every possible emotion after winning a golf tournament — hugs with his father Earl, and tears after his dad died and was no longer there to greet him — he got a new one Sunday.
Woods won for the first time as a father.
As Woods retreated to the scoring tent, the nation got its first live televised glimpse of sports’ most celebrated new baby. Woods was greeted by wife Elin holding infant Sam, dressed appropriately in Woods’ Sunday color — red.
“It’s a feeling I’ve never had before,” Woods said. “[It] feels a lot more special when you have your family there. It used to be my mom and dad. And now Elin [and I] have our own daughter. So it’s evolved, and this one feels so much more special than the other majors.”
Not yet 2 months old, Sam is oblivious to the history her father continues to make. But she will know soon enough.
The rest of the golf world is familiar with the tale.
Woods won his 13th major Sunday by two shots over Woody Austin in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
Woods shot a 69, making him a perfect 13-0 in majors when he holds at least a share of the lead going into the final round.
However, the expected final-round cruise-control dash around Southern Hills never materialized. Woods had to grind all the way in stifling 101-degree heat.
When he bogeyed the 14th hole, a lead that once had been five shots had dwindled to a stroke over the hard-charging Austin, who shot a 67. Ernie Els, who had a 66, was only two shots back.
Woods gave himself a harsh scolding as he walked to the 15th tee. It is assumed he wouldn’t have wanted his daughter to hear the language he used on himself.
“I just did serious yelling at myself, just to get back into what I do,” Woods said. “Put it where I need to put it and just bear down. Get it down somehow.”
Woods sent his 4-iron tee shot into the middle of the fairway on the par-4, 413-yard 15th and then plopped a 7-iron to 15 feet. He made the putt to open a two-shot gap and effectively seal the victory.
“I just kept telling myself Ernie and Woody were making runs, but I still had the lead,” Woods said. “And if I made pars, they would have to come get me. And 16 and 18 aren’t exactly birdie holes.”
Ultimately, it was experience that got it done.
Woods didn’t panic, and he knew just when to shift into another gear. Woods said he applied the lessons he learned in junior events.
“I certainly believe there is an art to winning and understanding how to do that and how to get it done,” Woods said. “When I’m out in these championships, I can always rely on any of those times. I will reflect back on how I got it done.”
Woods didn’t get it done in this year’s other majors. He settled for runner-up finishes in the Masters and U.S. Open and tied for 12th in the British Open.
Not satisfied, Woods worked hard with swing coach Hank Haney. He had a pretty good hunch he was on to something good when he won the Bridgestone Invitational by eight shots leading up to the PGA.
“[At the British Open] I was struggling a little bit with my game,” Woods said. “I was putting real well. Unfortunately, I was never close enough to make putts.
“So I just felt if I could clean up my ball-striking and continue to putt well, I figured I would win some tournaments. And all of a sudden I’ve won two in a row.”
Sunday’s victory changed Woods’ perspective on the season.
“It turned into a great year,” he said. “I felt like I’ve played well most of the year and just didn’t quite get it done in the [other majors]. This time I did. So any time you win a major championship, it’s always going to be a great year, and this certainly is.”
With 13 major victories, Woods said he still has a long way to go to reach Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 because he can’t catch him in one year.
But nobody would be surprised if Woods hits the magic number in two years, maybe three. By then his daughter will be old enough to run out to the green to greet him for the monumental moment.
As the years pass and the major victories start to blur together, Woods was asked how he might reflect on his triumph at Southern Hills.
First he spoke in golf terms, talking about his consistency in ball-striking and putting. Then he recalled the 63 he shot on Friday.
Finally, Woods mentioned what figures to be his most lasting memory.
“And then having Elin and Sam there at the end,” Woods said. “That’s something I never had before.”
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esherman@tribune.com
