The Road to History

A look at each of Tiger Woods’ unprecedented three consecutive U.S. Amateur championships:

1994

* STROKE PLAY: 137 (Tied for fourth)

* MATCH PLAY:

--Def. Vaughn Moise, 2 and 1

--Def. Michael Flynn, 6 and 5

--Def. Buddy Alexander, 1-up

--Def. Tim Jackson, 5 and 4

--Def. Eric Frishette, 5 and 3

--Def. Trip Kuehne, 2-up

The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Florida is best known for its island green and occasional alligators. But the 18-year-old Woods took a bite out of it.

Woods showed maturity beyond his years in advancing to the final, winning four holes in a row on the back nine to defeat 1986 U.S. Amateur champion Buddy Alexander in the third round.

But he really showed something in the 36-hole final, battling back from seven holes down against Trip Kuehne to get even heading into the island-green 17th. His 139-yard wedge on that hole found an impossible spot between the water and the pin, and he rolled in a 14-foot, right-to-left putt for a birdie on the way to a 2-up victory that made him the youngest U.S. Amateur champion. His arm pump would have made Kirk Gibson proud.

*

1995

* STROKE PLAY: 143 (Tied for 28th)

* MATCH PLAY:

--Def. Patrick Lee, 3 and 2

--Def. Chad Campbell, 4 and 2

--Def. Sean Knapp, 2 and 1

--Def. Scott Kammann, 5 and 3

--Def. Mark Plummer, 2-up

--Def. Buddy Marucci, 2-up

Woods took his quest for a second U.S. Amateur title to the Newport Country Club in Rhode Island and he made it look as if it would be an America’s Cup breeze, never trailing in a match through the semifinals.

But then came luxury car dealer George “Buddy” Marucci, and Woods, for the second consecutive year, had a battle on his hands in the final. Marucci won four holes in a row to go 3-up through 12 holes. Woods pulled ahead to stay with a par on the 30th hole and went 2-up with a birdie on the 33rd hole, but Marucci birdied the 35th to stay alive.

And for the second year in a row, Woods hit a memorable shot. His eight-iron approach spun back within a foot from the 18th hole and Marucci conceded the match after missing his birdie putt.

Woods became the ninth player to win two consecutive Amateurs. No one had won three in a row.

*

1996

* STROKE PLAY: 136 (Medalist)

* MATCH PLAY:

--Def. J.D. Manning, 3 and 2

--Def. Jerry Courville, 4 and 2

--Def. Charles Howell, 3 and 1

--Def. D.A. Points, 3 and 2

--Def. Joel Kribel, 3 and 1

--Def. Steve Scott, 1-up

The entire week at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Woods played under the extreme weight of expectation. He was the assumed champion, and expected to become the first golfer ever to win three consecutive U.S. Amateurs.

The pressure seemed too much in the final match against Steve Scott, a 19-year-old University of Florida student who led by five after the first 18 holes and was 2-up with three to go. But Woods matched Scott on the final nine and added a few big shots to even the match.

Woods made a 34-foot eagle putt on No. 11, and after Scott made birdie at No. 14, Woods answered with his own on No. 6 and then made a 30-foot birdie on No. 17 to finally even in the match. Scott and Woods were tied at the end of regulation and on the second playoff hole, Woods took advantage of a Scott bogey to tap in a 2-footer for the victory.

“I’m going to celebrate like hell tonight,” said Woods.

Text compiled by STEVE HORN and GEORGE DOHRMANN / Los Angeles Times