Tiger Woods has impacted the golf world as much for his extraordinary talent as for his electric personality on the courses. Just as legendary as his triumphs have been his fist pumps, his reactions to good and bad shots, and his celebrations that roused the crowds.
Given these characteristics as a player, it’s only natural that Woods has had idols not only in the purely golfing sense. He also had them in terms of his charisma on the course, something that struck him even growing up.
In a recent interview posted to the TGL Jupiter Links Golf Club team’s YouTube channel, Woods revealed the names of three of those idols. In fact, he named the three players from his childhood whom he wishes had played while mic’d up, and his list was unbeatable.
“Well, Lee Buck (Trevino) for sure. Tommy Bolt would have been awesome … and Jim Thorpe,” Woods said.
No hardcore golf fan will be surprised by the names Woods chose.
Trevino left an indelible mark on professional golf with his six major championships and 29 PGA Tour titles. However, his impact on the sport was far more extensive. The man known as Supermex is also an idol for his humor, eloquence and ability to command the attention of fans.
Similar characteristics were shared by Bolt, a player who made his mark in professional golf between the 1940s and 1990s. Bolt was a star on both the PGA Tour and the Senior Tour, with the 1958 US Open title being the highlight of his career.
But his time in pro golf is also well remembered for his fiery behavior on the course. His habit of throwing and breaking clubs became so notorious that it prompted rule changes to curb such antics. Bolt later acknowledged that his outbursts were often just showmanship and a distraction from his focus on tournaments.
As for Thorpe, his greatest success was on the Senior Tour, where he won 13 titles, including a senior major championship. He had previously won three PGA Tour titles. Toward the end of his career, he encountered some legal issues, but he was able to return to pro golf later.
While players still don’t compete mic’d up in official tournaments, it’s not uncommon for their remarks to be picked up by hot mics during TV broadcasts. In contrast, the TGL, co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, features every participant fully mic’d throughout play, offering fans a more immersive experience.
More Golf: Max Homa Refuses to Quit Despite Ankle Injury, Posts Bogey-Free 66
