Woods Shows He Has Resolve to Match Skill

L.A. Times Archives

Nov. 1, 1999 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

HOUSTON —

Years from now, this Tour Championship will be easily distinguished by the highlights of so many players wearing knickers to honor the memory of Payne Stewart.

As for that clip of Tiger Woods holding the trophy? That could be just about any tournament.

Woods closed with a two-under 69 at Champions Golf Club, giving him a four-stroke victory over Davis Love III and another title in what has become the best season on the PGA Tour in 25 years.

While Woods continued his staggering streak, his victory brought an end to a long and sorrowful week in golf as players tried to cope with Stewart’s death in a plane crash last Monday.

“Tracey gave me a lot of strength,” Woods said, referring to the powerful eulogy Stewart’s widow gave during a memorial service in Orlando, Fla., on Friday. “If she can have that type of resolve after what’s transpired, why can’t I?”

Players have worn black ribbons all week. After Friday’s service, some wore the WWJD bracelet--What Would Jesus Do--that Stewart wore when he won the U.S. Open in June. On Sunday, most of them paid yet another tribute by wearing knickers, the knee-length pants that made Stewart one of the most recognizable figures in golf.

“I think he’d be laughing because he had it put on him all these years,” said Stuart Appleby, who wore an outfit chosen from Stewart’s closet.

As for Woods? That’s no laughing matter.

The 23-year-old already has put a canyon between himself and the rest of golf, and the best may be yet to come.

Woods, who finished at 15-under 269, won for the seventh time in his last 10 tournaments including a victory in Europe, and the $900,000 pushed Woods over $5.6 million for the year--nearly as much as Jack Nicklaus won in his entire career.

He also wrapped up the money title, even though $1 million is at stake next week in the World Golf Championship event in Spain.

Still, while Woods has won 14 times on the PGA Tour and 17 tournaments worldwide, this was more hollow than any of them.

“We’ve all tried to come to grips with everything,” Woods said. “It’s been tough. I can honestly say I’m pretty drained. I’m thankful this week is over.”

Woods holed a short par putt on the 18th about 40 feet from a portrait of Stewart, propped against a table holding the Tour Championship trophy.

“It’s just tough,” Justin Leonard said. “There are constant reminders everywhere.”

Indeed.

Tom Lehman ordered a pair of knickers for everyone who felt comfortable wearing them.

“It’s like walking in his shoes for one day,” Appleby said. “I felt like him for one day, even though my swing wasn’t as fluent as his and I didn’t putt as good.”

Right now, no one is playing anywhere near the level of Woods.

On a course softened by rain that played into Woods’ hands with his awesome length, the margin of victory was his largest since he won the Masters by 12 strokes in 1997, and signaled that he might become the next force in golf.

But who could have imagined this?

“I knew I could shoot a low number and still probably not win,” said Love, who closed with a 67. “I saw 27 holes of him yesterday. I wasn’t 100% this week, but my 100% still might not beat him.”

Chris Perry got within two strokes of Woods with a 30-foot birdie putt on the first hole, but he had to take an unplayable lie two holes later and was never again a factor. Woods never led by fewer than three strokes.

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Tour de Force

Few PGA golfers have had a season like the one Tiger Woods is putting together. Most wins in a season since 1960:

Arnold Palmer (1960): 8

Johnny Miller (1974): 8

Arnold Palmer (1962): 7

Arnold Palmer (1963): 7

Jack Nicklaus (1972): 7

Jack Nicklaus (1973): 7

Tiger Woods (1999): 7

Note: Byron Nelson holds the PGA Tour record with 18 victories (including 11 in a row) in 1945.

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