“Everyone Was Very Uncomfortable”: Ex-Rival Holds Tiger Woods Responsible for an ‘Intimidating’ Change in Golf

You know how the best in the game always have that unshakable presence. Well, Tiger Woods might be the ultimate example. And if you’re not convinced, just listen to what six-time PGA Tour winner Hunter Mahan had to say on the Par 3 Podcast with J.R. Smith and Stephen Malbon.

Speaking on the podcast, Mahan shared how Woods harnessed an intense, almost overwhelming aura that made competitors uneasy. “There was an intensity that was very unknown to everybody And he used that in a huge, huge way because everyone was very uncomfortable about it, and they couldn’t do anything about it,” Mahan said. Imagine standing on the tee box with someone who carried an air of inevitability—Woods wasn’t just there to compete; he was there to dominate.

Mahan didn’t just stop at calling Woods intimidating—he really dug into what made him so challenging to compete against. Golf, usually a calm and measured sport, felt completely different when Woods was in the mix. The man brought an intensity that flipped the script.

Mahan explained how Tiger’s focus and presence created a psychological edge, saying it wasn’t just about skill—it was mental warfare, turning opponents’ discomfort into an advantage. “He (Woods) used that discomfort to his advantage,” Mahan shared. Competing against Woods wasn’t just tough; it was almost impossible to play your best when you were up against someone who seemed untouchable.

via Reuters

Tiger Woods himself summed up his approach perfectly during a 2018 Tiger Jam charity event: “I can’t control you. The only thing I can control is me. Now, if I do this more efficiently than you, if you get intimidated, that’s your own f—-ing issue.”

While injuries have limited Woods’ appearances this season, including skipping the Hero World Challenge, his impact on the game remains unmatched. As Mahan put it, Woods didn’t just change how golf was played—he changed how it felt to play it.

Tiger Woods is all set for his return

After a long wait that feels much like an eternity, Tiger Woods will finally be back on the course. After months away from competitive golf, Woods will team up with his son, Charlie, at the PNC Championship. This will be his sixth event of 2024 after a tough season, where he only completed 72 holes once—at the Masters. He withdrew after two rounds at the Genesis Invitational and missed cuts at the other majors. Thankfully, the 36-hole format of the PNC Championship should be more manageable for him as he continues recovering.

Last year, Bernhard and Jason Langer took the win, narrowly beating David and Brady Duval. Woods and Charlie’s closest finish was in 2021, when they came in second, finishing just behind John Daly and his son.

This year’s field is stacked. Fred Couples, making his debut, will team up with his stepson, Hunter Hannemann. Legends like Lee Trevino, Gary Player, and Nick Faldo are also joining, alongside current stars like Nelly Korda, the women’s World No. 1, who’ll be playing alongside her dad, Petr.

Woods’ presence always adds excitement, but the big question remains—can he and Charlie Wood finally claim the title? What do you think? Let us know in the comments!