Storming the Beach: Tiger Dominates U.S. Open

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

A recap of Tiger Woods' victory at the 100th U.S. Open

Tiger Woods' won his first U.S. Open with a record 15-stroke victory. (Source/AP) Related Links U.S. Open Turns 100 Tiger Woods The U.S. Open 1999 U.S. Open Jack Nicklaus Tom Watson Tom Kite Ben Hogan The Masters The Ryder Cup

It's almost unfair. How can someone be that good?

Almost every prognosticator and golf analyst around the world was predicting a Tiger Woods victory this past weekend at Pebble Beach, but no one could have predicted this. Woods rewrote the PGA record book, winning his first U.S. Open by a whopping 15 strokes! It was the largest margin of victory ever recorded at a major golf tournament and his 12-under-par 272 shattered the previous U.S. Open record by four strokes (in relation to par). In all, nine records were either broken or tied.

It was the most thorough domination of a major tournament since, well…since 1997, when Tiger won the Masters by twelve strokes.

Woods and Everyone Else

Woods was the only golfer to finish below par for the tournament. South African Ernie Els and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez tied for second place with 3-over 287s.

"Tiger Woods was playing a different tournament after two rounds," said Jimenez. "After two rounds, I was playing against everybody else."

Victories at 3 of 4 Major Championships

Woods has now won three of the four major championships (2000 U.S. Open, 1997 Masters and 1999 PGA Championship in just five years as a pro, and has only the British Open to complete the career grand slam—a feat only five players have accomplished.

The 2000 British Open takes place July 20-23 at the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews in Scotland. When he wins it, the 24-year-old Woods will become the youngest player in PGA history to win all four. The so-called experts claim that St. Andrews is well-suited for Tiger's game, but honestly—is there a course that isn't?

He has now entered 11 tournaments this year and won five of them. Since turning pro in 1996, he has won 20 of the 81 Tour events he's been in. Despite his age, he's already being compared to greats like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Ben Hogan. And rightfully so.