Remembering Tiger Woods' 2000 PGA Championship triumph at Valhalla

The PGA Championship returns to Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, this week. The last time the tournament was contested at Valhalla was in 2014 when Rory McIlroy won. It also played host to the 2000 PGA Championship, one of Tiger Woods' greatest victories.

Remembering Tiger Woods' 2000 PGA Championship triumph at Valhalla

Tiger was already atop the golfing world when he arrived at Valhalla in 2000. He was fresh off winning the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach by 15 strokes and then winning The Open Championship at St. Andrews by 8 strokes to complete the career grand slam.

Tiger was the undisputed favorite going into the week, and in a fitting "passing of the torch" moment, he was paired with Jack Nicklaus in the first two rounds. It was Jack's final PGA Championship, and he nearly made the cut by pitching in for an eagle on the final hole of round 2 but barely missed.

Tiger held at least a share of the lead or better in all four rounds, going wire-to-wire to win. But it was not an easy victory by any means. Previewing future major championship duels that Tiger had in his career, it was a David versus Goliath storyline as he dueled with journeyman Bob May for the title.

Paired together in the final group, Woods and May battled back and forth all day as they separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Things were all tied up going to the 18th and Bob May had a 15-footer from the fringe. It was a double breaker that looked like it had no chance at going in with a few feet to go before it curled into the hole, forcing Tiger to sink a 5-footer to force a three-hole playoff. He drained it and forced extra holes.

They played 16, 17, and 18. The first hole of the playoff provided one of the most iconic moments of Tiger's career as he practically beat the ball to the hole as he chased it down and gave it a point, leaving commentator Gary McCord simply tickled.

Both players parred the 17th which meant Tiger had a one-shot lead going to the 18th. He pulled his tee shot way left and there is still some mystery as to how his ball ended up where it did. From the broadcast, it certainly looked like a fan kicked or threw Tiger's ball backward to get it into a better position. It has never been confirmed, but it still looks odd.

Nevertheless, Tiger went on to par the hole as did May who gave his birdie putt up the hill a valiant effort. Tiger had secured his 3rd major in a row and even further cemented himself as the most dominant player in the game.

If it weren't for his epic duel with Rocco Mediate in the 2008 U.S. Open, Tiger's triumph at Valhalla may be remembered as his most dramatic major victory.

Even still, Tiger's triumph over Bob May is still a really special and memorable victory from Tiger's career. Golf fans can only dream that we get a tournament that exciting this week.