20 Years After Being Infamously Misjudged, Tiger Woods Served Revenge on a Sweet Platter to Curtis Strange Back in 2016

Tiger Woods, a name that needs no explanation or introduction, is arguably the greatest golfer of all time. His fandom reaches miles, and his name is synonymous with the sport. 

But going back in time to when Woods was just starting his career in 1996, his merits as a golfer were questioned in an interview during the Greater Milwaukee Open. And 20 years later Tiger Woods went on to take his sweet revenge from Curtis Strange.

What transpired in the infamous 1996 interview?

In the early phases of a sportsman’s life, the ambition to be great and the aspiration to have triumphs are often viewed as being vain or having an ego regarding oneself. One such victim was Tiger Woods himself. This golf legend didn’t start his career with much fame and even received discouragement. Woods had a pretty harsh encounter with American professional golfer and TV commentator Curtis Strange. Strange literally mocked Woods for his positive golf objectives and took it more as Woods’ arrogance. 

During the interview, the now 15 times major winner was questioned about how far he saw his place in the Greater Milwaukee Open, and in answer to that, he replied that he saw himself as grabbing a win at the title. This came as a bit of a shock to Strange, who said, “To me, that comes off as a little cocky or brash… You know, the other guys on tour have been out here for years and years with certainly ample records. What do you say to those guys?”

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And in answer to that, Woods said, “Why go on tour if you are not going to try and win…I want to win; that’s just my nature.” And Strange went on to make a bold comment while having a smirk on his face in response, “You’ll learn.”

But Woods went on to win his first career major the very next year by emerging victorious at the 1997 Masters Championship at the age of 21. He thrivingly broke Strange’s skepticism and literally ruled the golf world with his stellar performance throughout his prime years.

It was evident that Curtis couldn’t quite predict what was coming his way, and he muttered the most misjudged utterance of his life. Finally, in 2016, according to Golfweek, Curtis said, “As far as the (‘You’ll learn’) comment that went semi-viral, I think the world was thinking the same thing I said, for Christ’s sake,” admitting that it was just something that he assumed and perhaps anybody would have thought the same.

Strange’s confession of misreading the fate of Tiger Woods

Back in 1996, Strange questioned Woods about his golfing capabilities. But later, he regretted his misjudgment and confessed to Tiger Woods, “I told Tiger years later, ‘I learned. Maybe I was wrong and you were right.” He also added, “Or maybe we were both right. ”

Thus, perhaps, as Strange told us back then, a second or third position is not that bad of a place to be. But Woods didn’t want to settle for anything less than a win. He strived for excellence, and victory was his only slogan.

Do you think that maybe it was too soon for Curtis Strange to judge Tiger Woods.? Let us know in the comments below.

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