Tiger 2000: Phil Mickelson ends Tiger Woods’ streak at Torrey

It’s been 25 years since Tiger Woods’ historic 2000 season. As 2025 unfolds, we’ll look back at each of Woods’ starts, including his 10 world wins.

First…

Tournament: Buick Invitational
where: Torrey Pines GC (South/North), La Jolla, CA
Dates: February 10-13

Tiger’s Finish: T-2
Tiger’s Scoreboard: 71-68-67-68–274 (-14)

Setting the stage: Woods is coming off his sixth consecutive official PGA Tour win at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The streak equals Ben Hogan’s 1948 run, although it is still five wins shy of Byron Nelson’s record, set in 1945. It’s a quick turnaround for Woods and those going from Pebble, as inclement weather pushed the finish line to Monday. Woods has tremendous momentum, however, after rallying seven shots back from Matt Gogel with eight holes to play, holed out for eagle on the par-4 15th hole down the stretch to eventually win by two shots. On arriving at Torrey, Woods says, “It’s a huge task ahead of me if I’m going to be the one (to break Byron Nelson’s record … Whoever it is, you’re going to have to play well for more than that). long time, but you have to be lucky, if I shoot 64 on Monday and Matt Gogel goes out and shoots even par, I. I have no chance.”

How it happened: A year earlier at Torrey, Woods was nine shots back of leader Ted Tryba after 36 holes before coming back to win, his first of seven at the tournament, which is now the Farmers Insurance Open. This time, Woods trails Davis Love III by six shots after an opening 71 on the North Course. “That’s fine,” Woods says afterward. “There are a lot of holes to play. I proved that last year.” Woods followed with a 68 on the South Course on Friday to enter the weekend T-22 and another six shots back, this time of Phil Mickelson, Shigeki Maruyama and Kirk Triplett. Mickelson then matched Woods’ Saturday 67 to stay six clear of the world No. 1, telling reporters afterward: “To win, he’s going to have to play an outstanding round. If I play well, I won’t worry about Tiger.” On cue, Woods made five birdies in his first 13 holes on Sunday to move into a tie with Mickelson at 15 under. But Woods, who has gone 44 straight holes without a bogey, continues to drop shots at the 14th and 16th. Mickelson, meanwhile, plays his final seven holes in 3 under to beat Woods by four strokes and end Woods’ quest for history.

Historical significance: Woods is winless, but his $264,000 second-place check pushed him past Love for No. 1 on the PGA Tour’s all-time money list, a position he still hasn’t relinquished. Woods earned $12,828,128 at the time, and is now at $120,999,166, over $30 million ahead of current No. 2 Rory McIlroy.

Quote to remember: “First time I’ve been asked… in the last hour.” – Craig Stadler, when asked about Woods earlier this week