Tiger Woods’ Masters win excites fans on Central Coast

It was an overwhelming moment for both fans and, now, five-time Masters champion, Tiger Woods. That same excitement is being felt across the country, on the golf-crazed Monterey Peninsula.

“Tiger fans, and everybody, have been waiting for this moment for a long time. To see it happen was special,” said Pacific Grove Golf Links Assistant Golf Professional, Connor Rummonds.

Rummonds talked about the 14-year gap between this Masters victory and Tiger’s last. In between, Tiger battled personal and medical low points, all in the public eye. Sunday, Tiger pounced back to the mountain top.

“It’s right up there with one of the biggest things that’s ever happened in golf, certainly for the Masters,” said Pacific Grove golfer, Pete Nilles.

Few would argue that golf is most exciting when Tiger’s at his best. “When Tiger’s playing it’s totally different, and you see that. You see it in the viewers when he’s playing. Even if it’s a golf tournament that most people wouldn’t even care about, people are going to watch,” said Rummonds.

The excitement is already building for the chance to see Tiger play on the Central Coast. Pebble Beach Golf Links is hostings the 2019 U.S. Open. “Tiger draws more people to golf. Tiger will make for a more successful U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. A successful U.S. Open draws more people to our area, period. Having Tiger competitive again is a great thing for golf and a great thing for Pebble Beach,” said Pebble Beach Company Vice President and Director of Golf, John Sawin.

Tiger has had success at Pebble Beach before. Its visitors center features Tiger’s 2000 U.S. Open victory. Twenty years later, people are hoping for another. “This place is going to be so jam packed for the U.S. Open because of his win. It’s going to be incredible. It’s just going to be a flood,” said Nilles.