‘Obviously Trying To Take Him Down’: Tiger Woods Gave Insights About His Mentality Towards Phil Mickelson During Their Amateur Days in 2018

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson may share a great bond in recent years, but the friendship was initiated only after nearly two decades of cold-headed feud. Since both golfers are considered greats, the battle for the number one spot in the sport was always up for grabs. Despite their rivalry, Tiger once revealed the high amount of competitive respect he held for Mickelson during the early days of their amateur career.

During the first edition of “The Match” in 2018, Woods was going places to promote the much-anticipated golf match. The promotion took the 15-time Major winner to the sets of Inside the NBA. The TNT post-NBA match show is hosted by Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith. What did Tiger have to say about Lefty?

Mickelson was a gold standard, according to Tiger Woods

As the interview began, the host Ernie Johnson wasted no time in asking a question regarding Phil. He asked Woods about the amateur days, when the 15-time Major winner won the Southern California player of the year in 1990, while a young Mickelson was delivering standout performances in NCAA tournaments nationwide.

Woods said, “Phil was the the gold standard in Southern California Junior Golf. He won everything based in San Diego. I was just a little north of him in Orange County”. After explaining how close they were during their amateur days, Tiger then had high praises for the fellow Hall of Famer.

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“He did some amazing things that, you know amateur golf and NC two A’s, you know, won three of those”, said Tiger Woods. He later revealed since Mickelson had a head start to his golf career for being much older, Woods would try to take him down as much as he could. Tiger said, “You know I was five or six years behind him. So I was always trying to you know had these records ahead of me and I try to you know was obviously trying to take him down”.

Both stars were competing for the number one spot in the golf world since their amateur days. Now, nearly three decades later, both golfers have a combined 21 Majors, with both Mickelson as well as Woods inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. As far as ‘The Match’ is concerned, Phil clinched the win over his frenemy and also claimed the $9 million.

If it wasn’t for their competitive mindset in their amateur career, both legends would never have been able to achieve the feat that they have. Who out of the two is your favorite golfer? Let us know in the comments section below.

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