The Unexpected ‘Lazy’ Reason Behind Tiger Woods’ Famous Goatee Explored This International Beard Day

It was a hilarious scene when Tiger Woods made his third start of the year at the PGA Championship, and everyone started noticing something different about the pro. Yes, it was the goatee that became the talk of the town. Interestingly, the 48-year-old sported the same goatee a decade ago when the PGA Championship was held at Valhalla then too.

Although both times the 15-time major winner did not win the Wanamaker trophy, after 10 years he revealed the reason behind it, and it might be one of the most relatable things to those who keep beards. And for this Beard Day, what could be better than knowing why Woods decided to have a beard when he usually appears clean-shaven? Be warned, the reason might not be as meaningful as many would have expected.

When Dan Rapaport of Barstool Sports asked Woods whether the goatee was deliberate or out of sheer laziness, the 48-year-old let out a laugh and said, “It’s the second one, I’m definitely lazy. I cut myself this morning trying to trim it up, so it is what it is.” He then went on to shoot 72-77 and missed the second cut of his 2024 season.

So, the next time you feel lazy, sport a goatee and go about your day—although it might not be as popular as Woods’. But why did a different look on the GOAT create such a buzz in the golf world? Well, the reason has to do with a superstition attached to that particular beard style and Woods’ victories.

Tiger Woods’ many wins on the PGA Tour with a Goatee

There have been several times when Tiger Woods won a PGA Tour event while sporting a goatee. As much as the Sunday Red had become a tradition, for fans, a goatee meant that the 82-time PGA Tour winner would be victorious. But as revealed, that was not the case at the 106th PGA Championship at Valhalla. However, it was for this particular reason that many wondered about the goatee in the first place.

In 2013, Woods won two prestigious events while his beard style resembled the 2024 PGA Championship look. The 15-time major winner won the Arnold Palmer Championship, followed by a T4 at the Masters, and then won the PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. That was not the first multi-win streak with a goatee for the GOAT. In 2005, he also won the Dunlop Phoenix Open on the Japan Tour following victories at the WGC American Express Championship and WGC NEC Invitational.

But the last time Woods won on the PGA Tour with a goatee was in 2018. Doubts were in the air about Woods ever winning again, as it had been five years since he last won on the Tour. But that year, in East Lake, the 48-year-old emerged victorious for the 80th time on the PGA Tour with a goatee, as the fans roared. Whether a goateed Woods will be seen again in 2025 is uncertain, but he will surely hope, with or without it, to bag a W.