Two things that are impossible: 1. Licking own elbow and 2. Talking about golf history without mentioning Tiger Woods.
Woods is back at it in the Masters, looking to claim his sixth crown and tie fellow legend Jack Nicklaus for the most wins in tournament history. Woods' return was surprising to some, especially after his car crash last year that almost threatened to end his career due to a leg injury.
But he's here. Again. Vying to add another piece of hardware to his already bursting trophy case. But more than that, in a story by Farrell Evans of The Undefeated, esteemed golf author Pete McDaniel said Woods competing in the Masters is always a reminder of how he singlehandedly galvanized the Black community during his win in 1997—his first-ever major title.
“Tiger was a hero to old-school Black golfers. They lived and died with Tiger’s every shot because for men of their generation, who had experienced the unlevel playing field in every arena in this country, he was their field leveler in golf.”
McDaniel stressed the significance of Woods' racially transcendental performance in the Masters, as he paved the way for a more inclusive culture in golf, which for the longest time, was seen as a sport that only caters to the elite.
“People of color began to dominate Tiger’s galleries. His galleries became a lot younger with the golf enthusiasts who wanted to be like Tiger. Even those White people who had been steeped in segregation and racism all of sudden became big fans. They didn’t see him as being Black. They saw him as colorless, which was a phenomena in its own right.”
Regardless of what happens this year, Tiger Woods will forever be part of the Masters lore.
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