It was a room where I could only stand. Reporters asked every question through their latest feelings, and in this crowded interview tent, Woods captivated everyone.
It was the congressional country club in Bethesda, Maryland, the scene of the 1997 U.S. Open, and the first major event in which the world of golf was shaken like never before.
That week with many members of the media, it was the first time I met Tiger Woods.
It was a day 20 years ago, and he showed incredible maturity, charming demeanor, candor, and a personal ability that every reviewer could feel.
He talked about race relations, death threats, God, and why he couldn't buy a sandwich calmly anymore. Of course, there are also questions about golf, after all, he recently dominated the Masters with a record 12-stroke advantage.
Not only that, but he also became the youngest champion in Augsta and the first black champion under white rule. "As long as I'm alive, the golfers will be white and the caddies will be black." Club team founder Clefford Roberts once had a notorious remark.
Roberts died 20 years before Woods became the youngest champion. He set a new world record with a 270 under par of 18.
This great victory happened 20 years ago, and what an extraordinary achievement.
So, has he changed the face of golf? "Yes, absolutely." Three-time Masters champion Nick Fodu said.
"Woods has helped the sport of golf in a lot of ways, and he gets people to come over and watch the game and focus on golf. He caught a lot of people's attention, especially some smart people. ”
"That's why the team's golf game has become so amazing now." Buddha added.
See which players dominate the game right now, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jason Dyy. They had that kind of athletic talent, and it was the first time Woods had brought talent into the game.
The vast wealth of the teams they competed against also benefited from Woods' influence, which fueled the expansion of golf games and led to the influx of television broadcasts and sponsorship contracts.
Back in 1997, Fodo had a very significant insight, because as the defending champion, he was toyed with by Woods in the first round of the Masters. "This is just the beginning of a memorable week." Buddha recalled.
"The attention of the media is no longer on the report card, and we have never seen a scene like this. He has been able to highlight his difference. ”
"That special week was constantly questioned by the media. If the media wanted to ask a question about you before they started talking about Woods, you would feel very lucky. ”
"Everybody wants to know about him."
That Sunday, Verdo put a green jacket symbolizing the Masters champion on the shoulders of the young American athlete. "I tried to humor it and I said, 'There's a suggestion that the red shirt and green jacket go badly.'" Buddha said.
"I whispered in his ear, but apparently the red shirt had become almost as famous as the green jacket."
But at the start of the game, Woods wasn't very lucky. He scored a 40 on the first nine holes of the game, which wasn't a good start. After that, Woods caught up.
Colin Montgomery, who was in the lead group with Woods in the third round, also witnessed Woods' phenomenal performance. For Montgomery, who was 33 at the time, he realized shortly after kick-off how special he had witnessed.
"Hole 2 is scary. I used the number one wood and the ball hit a small hill. Montgomery said. Now the tee has moved forward. The 2nd tee was supposed to be 60 yards farther away then than it is now, so I just had to hit the ball to the top of the hill and hit the green with the no. 4 wood; that was really old-fashioned. Woods must have served 150 yards farther than I did, and then he hit the ball through the green with no. 9 iron. ”
"From hole 2, I realized that Woods was unusual. The flagpole on The No. 2 hole was at the left rear of the narrow part of the green, and Woods was able to hit the green with the no. 9 iron, and I still played the same way as usual, the ball just reached the bottom of the green, so I was really shocked by Woods' performance. That shot really opened my eyes. ”
Montgomery remembers the 15th hole of the par5, woods' second shot of the digging rod was very beautiful, and on the 18th hole, he used the bunker to hit the ball as far as he could advance into the hole, and then caught the last bird.
"I haven't seen him before, and neither of us." Montgomery said.
Woods, after shooting a 69 in the final round, won the title with the lowest 72 holes in Masters history and a 12-stroke lead. This also heralds the arrival of the "Woods era".
The 1997 Masters were just the first of Woods' four green jackets and one of 14 Masters titles, the last of which was the 2008 Dollysson U.S. Open.
At that time, he had just undergone surgery on his knees and back, and the injuries devastated the late 30s and early 40s. He endured the pain on the 72nd hole when the putter pushed the birdie from the right side of the cup.
On Thanksgiving Night 2009, scandals over his countless extramarital affairs were also exposed.
But long ago, Woods was highly wary and suspicious of the media and all those who threatened his privacy.
Looking back at the 1997 press conference at the Masters, it's hard to connect the now reclusive, cautious Woods with the young and enthusiastic people of the year.
"My life is different from when I was 21." He declared, "But, again, there are some additional benefits to being who you were then." I started traveling the world. ”
"I play golf every day and do what I love to do. I wouldn't trade anything for golf. ”
But the signs suggest that the burden of being the most famous athlete in the world will be heavy. "What do I miss the most?" I want to play one more practice round calmly. Woods said.
"Go out to dinner and people will come and disturb you. When you put food in your mouth, people come to you for an autograph. ”
"When I was raised, it was very rude to bother people while eating. In our current team society, this is different. ”
Woods continued: "Another thing that happened drastically changed my life. Everything I do will be picked up, and all my actions will be noticed. People look at us and criticize us. Sometimes, that's a good thing. But sometimes, this one sucks. ”
Now, for recovery and health reasons from multiple back surgeries, Woods has been restricted from playing in three rounds this year.
He launched the Arnold Palmer Invitation earlier in March, saying he didn't have time to prepare for his comeback. This year's Masters will begin on April 6.
Woods is now 41 years old. In sports, he is relatively old. "He's obviously struggling very much right now." Buddha observed.
"His thoracic spine wasn't mobile enough, not strong enough to support the race. I think he still has a long way to go to win the game again. If he can recover, it will be an incredible achievement. ”
He draws on physical challenges that may not be overcome, but from the beginning, Woods has found a way to overcome them.
The match that took place at Augusta 20 years ago and its effects will never be forgotten.
(Translator: Zhu Yibing)