Tiger Woods' official all-time best score is a stunning 61, a number he has posted four separate times on the PGA Tour. Yet, that number only tells part of the story. This article will not only cover those official record-setting rounds, but also the legendary - and unofficial - story of his 59, and his truly mind-boggling full tournament performances. We'll also break down what it takes to shoot that low and how you can apply Tiger's scoring mentality to your own game.
When someone asks about a golfer’s “best score,” the question is more detailed than it seems. Are we talking about the lowest single round in a competition? The lowest score relative to par over a full 72-hole tournament? Or what about the rumored low-round shot in a casual, money-on-the-line game? For a player with a career as vast and dominant as Tiger's, all of these numbers tell a unique story of his skill.
For most golf purists, the anwer starts and ends with scores in official, sanctioned PGA Tour events - the rounds carded under the brightest lights with history on the line.
Tiger Woods’ personal best score in an official PGA Tour round is 61. He didn’t just do it once, he’s accomplished this a staggering four times. Hitting this number requires a completely different level of golf - a day where every part of the game clicks, from driving to iron play, and an unconscious-level putting performance.
Here are the four times Tiger wrote 61 on his official scorecard:
That round at Firestone in 2013 is perhaps the most famous 61 of the bunch. He was so dialed in that the sports world hung on every shot, fully expecting him to reach golf's magic number. While a couple of late birdie putts didn’t drop, his 9-birdie, 0-bogey performance was a masterclass in aggressive, precise golf. It reminded everyone that even in his late 30s, his best was still better than anyone else's.
While a 61 is his official best, the story that gets passed around clubhouses and practice ranges is about the day Tiger shot 59. This wasn't during a tournament, but it’s a core piece of his legend because of when and where it happened.
The year was 1997. The setting was his ultra-exclusive home course, Isleworth in Florida. He was playing a practice round with his friend and mentor, Mark O'Meara, just a week before he was set to play in The Masters. By all accounts, it was a breezy, near-perfect round of golf. O'Meara has confirmed the story many times: Tiger shot a 13-under-par 59, effortlessly taking money off a proven Masters champion in the process.
So why does this unofficial score matter so much? Because of what happened next.
A few days later, Tiger Woods went to Augusta National and delivered arguably the most dominant performance in the history of major championship golf. He won The Masters by an astounding 12 strokes, finishing at -18 and breaking records that had stood for decades. That 59 at Isleworth wasn't just a great round with a friend, it was a warning shot. It was a sign of a player about to change the game of golf forever.
Shooting one low round is incredible. Sustaining that level of excellence for four consecutive days is what separates legends from greats. Tiger's 72-hole scoring records are, in many ways, more impressive than his single-day 61s because they showcase unwavering physical and mental stamina.
Tiger’s record for the lowest score to par in a 72-hole event is 25-under-par. He achieved it twice:
Shooting 25-under for a tournament requires an average score of 65.75 per round. Try to wrap your head around that for a second. It's four days of nearly flawless golf, a feat of consistency that is hard to comprehend.
While his -12 at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach wasn’t his lowest score to par, it stands as the single most dominant performance in major championship history. He won the tournament by 15 strokes. No one else in the field finished under par. By beating the world's best players by such a massive margin, on a course set up to be brutally difficult, Tiger redefined what was possible.
Another monumental scoring feat came at the 2000 Open Championship at St. Andrews, the "home of golf." He finished at 19-under-par to win The Open, a record at the time. What makes it legendary? He famously played all 72 holes without finding a single one of the Old Course’s 112 deep, penalizing pot bunkers. It was the ultimate exhibition of strategy, discipline, and execution.
Looking at these low scores isn’t just about appreciating history, it’s about learning what goes into them. As a coach, I see a few clear principles in Tiger’s scoring that every golfer can apply to their own game, regardless of handicap.
Tiger never stands over a shot without a clear plan. He picks a precise target, envisions the shot shape, and fully commits. Amateurs often step up to the tee thinking only, "don't hit it right." A better approach is to pick a smart target - like the left side of the fairway to take big trouble out of play - and commit to that one positive thought. Your plan doesn't have to be perfect, but having one is half the battle.
A score like 61 feels like a barrage of birdies, but it’s built on a foundation of zero bogeys. The absolute quickest way to lower your scores is to eliminate doubles and triples. This means accepting your limitations, taking your medicine when you're in trouble (punching out sideways instead of attempting a "hero" shot), and playing for the center of the green more often. Save your aggression for your true opportunities.
Throughout his career, Tiger has absolutely demolished Par 5s. They were his green-light holes for making birdies and eagles. You can do the same. Look at your home course's scorecard. Which holes fit your eye best? Which ones have the least trouble? Identify 3-4 holes per round that are your scoring opportunities and play them with a more aggressive, confident mindset. For the others, play conservatively.
Tiger could hit a bad shot, flush the frustration for a few seconds, and be completely focused by the time he reached his ball. For amateur golfers, one bad hole often bleeds into the next three. Practice developing a simple "reset" routine. Take a deep breath, have a sip of water, and focus only on the next shot ahed. Let the past go.
So, what is Tiger Woods' all-time best score? It's a 61 on the official record books, a 59 whispered in the legends of his practice rounds, and a collection of tournament scores - like -25 and a 15-shot major victory - that demonstrate sustained dominance unlike any other.
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