Tiger Woods gets fitted for his first green jacket, winning the 1997 Masters by a massive 12 strokes
On April 13, 1997, Tiger Woods didn’t just win the Masters—he redefined what dominance looked like on one of golf’s grandest stages. At just 21 years old, Woods became the youngest champion in tournament history, dismantling Augusta National with a blend of power, precision, and composure that felt almost otherworldly. His 12-stroke margin of victory shattered the previous record and left a field of seasoned professionals playing for second place by Sunday afternoon.
What made the performance even more remarkable was how it began. Woods opened the tournament with a front-nine 40 on Thursday, a shaky start that might have unraveled a lesser player.
Instead, he responded with a back-nine 30, igniting a surge that never cooled. Over the next three days, he methodically separated himself from the field, turning Augusta into his personal canvas.
Beyond the numbers, the victory carried profound historical significance. Woods became the first Black golfer to win the Masters, a moment that resonated far beyond the sport and symbolized a changing landscape in golf. His win sparked a surge in popularity for the game, inspiring a new generation of players and fans alike.
In many ways, the 1997 Masters wasn’t just a breakthrough—it was an arrival. Tiger Woods didn’t simply join the sport’s elite; he altered its trajectory, ushering in an era where dominance was measured against the standard he had just set.