‘Done His Homework’: Tour Veteran, Who Crushed Greg Norman’s Dream in 1987, Revealed What Makes Tiger Woods ‘A Great Player’

Tiger Woods is widely considered the greatest golfer of all time. And he attained this title by working hard throughout his career. Although the spectators might not see it, the players with whom he played, and shared his concerns, understand this. 

Recently, golf.com’s Claire Rogers interviewed the American professional golfer Larry Mize, who broke Greg Norman‘s heart by snatching the 1987 Masters title with a 140-footer on the 11th Hole. And he talked about what he thinks helped the 1997 Masters’ champion to build his career. 

As a fellow green jacket holder, the 64-year-old has huge respect for Tiger Woods. And he didn’t achieve it overnight. 

In the interview, when asked about his favorite memory about the 5-time champion at Augusta National, Mize had his answer ready already, although it happened decades ago. “When I walked on the first tee, the guy said, ‘head on up! Tiger wanted you to join him,'” he said. 

According to Mize, Woods had already won his first major at the moment, and he found despite being young, Woods reaching out to a senior player like this was a good move. “You know, I thought that was pretty cool,” he explained. 

What makes Tiger Woods a great player? Larry Mize explained

It is not a secret that half many in the golf community consider Jack Nicklaus, who has won the most major championships, the G. O. A. T., instead of Tiger. Recently, even a former coach of Woods named the 18-time major champion the greatest. Although he didn’t contradict their ideas, he explained in the interview how he considers Woods a great player. 

“That’s what Tiger’s done so well. He’s done his homework,” the senior American golfer said about his fellow player. “Talking to different players and looking at the videos of the golf tournaments as my understanding,” he added.

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Larry Mize explained how he thinks Woods prepared himself for all the golf tournaments ahead of him and the threats he might face in the future. “And that’s one of the many things that make him such a great player,” the 1987 Masters champion explained.  

According to his PGA Tour profile, Woods has won 82 times on the Tour, including 15 majors. He holds the record of winning the most number of Tour titles, along with Sam Snead. Even though everyone knows the golfer had to put in quite a lot of hard work to achieve this feat, only some understand the extra work he put in to make him this respected in the golf community.

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