'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABkAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgYQAAIBAwQDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgAEBQYHETETFCHSAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBxEAAgICAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDEQAEBRIGIZL/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/ANNtTtzhtWP1DZPYy3Zgsvbst2JjARkqayZKlAg88k9k1foJHwMaAOgPH+aUqW+UxrFo8TIlhpI5O5s++tVgbADMgIFBFr5Gf//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Tiger Woods once destroyed Stephen Ames while playing in Match Play. The game took place in a round-robin format and things heated up when Ames and Woods competed against each other in 2006.
Ahead of the tournament, Stephen Ames spoke about his winning chances against Tiger Woods in an interview as reported by the Associate Press. He said:
"Anything can happen, especially where he's hitting the ball."
Tiger Woods had a better reply for him, not with words but in the game. The 15-time major champion went on to make it to the hole from every single corner of the course. He dominated throughout the game and eviscerated Ames by 9&8.
After the opening round of the tournament, an interviewer asked Woods about the game and his inspiration for the game.
She asked:
"Was there some kind of inspiration other than you love match and head-to-head golf?"
In response, Woods confessed:
"Oh, yeah. There certainly was. Stephen provided it. So, uh, yeah, definitely."
The announcer further asked him:
"So Stephen suggested that maybe you weren't driving the ball just in all the right places, and I think you showed him all the right places today."
Woods had a solid reply to the question and said:
"I think I did alright today, yes. I think he understands now."
"Never bet against Tiger" - How fans reacted to Tiger Woods' victory over Stephen Ames
The 2006 Match Play was held from February 22 to 26 at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. Stephen Ames entered the tournament after then World No. 6 Sergio Garcia and No. 28 Thomas Bjorn opted out of the tournament, opening the door for him.
The PGA Tour shared a video of the interview and highlights of the match on their social media in 2021. Fans jumped into the comments section to share their opinions. They wrote:
"Classic moment for our local (at the time) Calgary friend! Hope you’re healing quickly Tiger."
"Best to not trash talk someone who is easily better than you. Why would you want to give them any extra motivation? Doesn’t seem smart."
People went on to write:
"Here’s to understanding. Never bet against Tiger. Not then. Not now."
"He took it personal."
Meanwhile, someone shared an unpopular opinion and suggested what Stephen Ames should have said in his interview. The user wrote:
"Unpopular opinion: What did Ames say that was so bad? Someone probably asked him, "Do you have a chance?" He pointed out that Tiger's driving has been spotty lately. But Tiger's a guy, like MJ, who manufactures motivation. Ames should have stopped after "anything can happen."
It is important to note that even after having an amazing start to the Match Play in 2006, Woods did not win the tournament.
The 2023 edition of Match Play is underway from March 22. It will have its finale on Sunday, March 29.
Some of the world's top-ranked players are competing in the tournament, including defeating champion Scottie Scheffler. Interestingly, after the first round, he registered his lead by defeating Davis Riley.
Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm are also playing in the match. However, Justin Thomas withdrew from the event ahead of the start.
