The numbers are staggering: 82 official PGA Tour event wins. Fifteen majors. Opponent after opponent, course after course—all vanquished. In many ways, Tiger Woods doesn't have a typical rival. But he does face enormous obstacles, from his difficult father, Earl, to his own outsized ambitions. Both will propel and haunt him throughout his career. But first, he'll need to learn to swing a club. You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tiger woods is starting to panic.
It's 2009, two days before thanksgiving, and the best golfer in the world is pacing nervously around his home in Windermere, Florida.
Hours earlier, the 33 year old got some jarring news.
The National Enquirer is about to publish a bombshell story claiming that he had an affair with New York City nightclub manager Rachel Yucatel.
Tiger denies it vehemently, of course, but his wife, Elan, isnt buying his excuses, especially after going through his cell phone.
Tiger knows hes screwed up, but now his only option is making sure it doesnt get any worse.
Its not just his marriage on the line, its his entire life.
Back in his home office, usually reserved for long sessions playing first person shooter video games, Tiger thinks through his options.
He unlocks his phone and opens his contact list.
Alright, who do I need to call?
He thinks.
He realizes his phone is shaking in his hand.
He then wonders, can I actually control this before the damage gets too bad?
Do I have any hope of controlling this thing before everything explodes?
Tiger has never felt this kind of pressure.
Hes always figured out ways to control and solve problems.
As he paces, he tries to put himself in the headspace that works for him on the golf course.
Total confidence, he tells himself.
Im Tiger Woods.
I want a major with a torn ligament in my knee and a broken leg.