Tiger Woods: 30 Best Wins of His Career
By Matt Cochran
28. 1999 WGC-American Express Championship
No matter how perfect Tiger Woods may hit some of his shots, there are some things that are just out of his control. The 1999 WGC-American Express Championship is a prime example of one of those moments.
A then unknown Spaniard by the name of Miguel Angel Jimenez was hot on Tiger’s tail. Miguel entered the final round with a one-stroke lead over Woods, but the two were in store for an exciting Sunday.
Woods caught fire on the back nine, chipping in for eagle on the 11th hole and then grabbing birdie at the 12th hole. Then his round got weird. He carded his first bogey of the day at the 16th hole and headed to the par-5 17th with a four-stroke lead.
The conditions were fairly windy that day in Spain and Woods hit his approach shot onto the green. Big Cat started walking towards the green after what seemed like a perfect shot, but it turned out to be a disaster.
The ball landed on top of the green and started to roll back towards the hole; only it continued to roll into the water. Woods finished the hole with a triple bogey and let Jimenez back in contention.
Tiger and the Mechanic went to a sudden-death playoff, but Woods put an end to it right out of the gate. He birdied the first playoff hole to defeat Jimenez and win his fourth-straight victory.
Woods ability to keep composure after what happened on the 17th hole is one of the reasons he’s the greatest to play this game. In a situation most would let frustration get ahold of them, Eldrick made the most with what he had.
Next: No. 27 - Ford Championship at Doral