Tiger Woods: 30 Best Wins of His Career
By Matt Cochran
17. 1996 Las Vegas Invitational
What is now known as the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open was once known as the Las Vegas Invitational and it’s the first tournament Tiger Woods ever won on the PGA TOUR.
The event was originally played in five rounds and 90 holes, so Tiger’s total score was a 27-under 332. It’d be shocking to see a tournament today be won with a score of 332, so if you’re wondering how that’s possible just know it’s over five rounds.
Tiger shot a final round 64 to take Davis Love III to a sudden-death playoff. Woods stuck his approach shot to birdie distance on the first playoff hole and put the pressure on DLIII. Love hit his approach shot long, handing Tiger Woods his first PGA TOUR win.
The “Tiger Era” was born and Woods went on to have four top-three finishes in the rest of his five starts the season, including a win at the Walt Disney World Classic two tournaments later.
Whenever you think of Tiger’s biggest wins, just know that it all started at the Las Vegas Invitational.
Next: No. 16 - 2006 WGC-American Express Championship