Q&A
of golf, pushed me. Certainly him coming
into my life was a big asset for me. \ \ \
It seemed like your relationship with Tiger helped him as well. We had a tight bond. It was kind of like a Big Brother-Little Brother team. I think the world of him. His accomplish- ments in the game, the level where he took the game has been tremendous. I’m a big Tiger Woods fan. I love see- ing him play, I like when he wins. He brings a great element to this game. The youth in our First Tee programs, his Tiger Woods Foundation—he realizes how important it is to keep them motivated. There are a lot of kids today who play golf and think it’s cool because of Tiger Woods.
\ \ \
You opened 74-70 at the 1998 Masters, before going 68-67 with a memorable birdie on No. 18 to win. What were you thinking after those two rounds? And what changed? I never really felt that confident over the ball, I wasn’t feeling that great on the greens, but I just took one step at a time. I shot 74, then 70 to get to even par after two rounds and make the cut. The goal was to make the top 16 so I could be invited back, and I
shot 4 under on Saturday. The course was playing pretty tough, and next thing you know, I’m playing in the last group with Fred Couples on Sunday. I birdied three of the last four
holes. There was a lot of drama the last day. A lot of guys were playing well. Jack Nicklaus got off to a good start. David Duval, Jim Furyk and Fred were all there. There were just a lot of things going on that back nine, typical of a Masters tournament. I watched people make putts on the 18th green and wondered how the heck anybody could do that. I get nervous
Close friend and defending champion Tiger Woods slips on the Green Jacket for 1998 Masters winner Mark O’Meara.
watching players stand over their putts to win any tournament. Some- how, someway, the man upstairs, all the stars aligned, I hit a good putt and it went in the hole. I was in shock and disbelief. It was pretty cool. I’ve had so
many wonderful things happen to me, met so many wonderful people in and
O’Meara blasts out of a bunker on the 17th hole at Pebble Beach.
48 /
NCGA.ORG / WINTER 2015
O’Meara tees off during the 2014 U.S. Senior Open.
PHOTO: MONTEREY PENINSULA FOUNDATION
PHOTO: USGA
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