A Warm Reminder Of Tiger From 20 Years Ago

A gentle moment at Medinah resurfaces after Masters victory.

- Jim Nantz

TO EXPLAIN WHY Tiger Woods’ fifth Masters victory struck a chord with millions of people, I think back to an episode that occurred late on

Friday afternoon at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah. Tiger had just shot 67 to move into third place and was in the scorer’s tent when I approached him to ask if he’d mind coming to our CBS studio for an interview to air during our late-night highlight show. He graciously consented, and as we walked over to the set behind the 18th green I said, “Oh, by the way, my little girl, Caroline, is in there. She’s 5 years old and is really excited to meet you.” Tiger nodded, but he was fresh off a great round and seemed immersed in that unique competitive mind-set he’s always had. I wasn’t sure what to expect. When I opened the door to the studio I scanned the room but couldn’t find my daughter, so I motioned Tiger to sit down. He said, “Just give me one second here. I need to say hello to someone first.” At that moment, I saw Caroline curled up beneath a chair, hiding. She was timid, as all children are at that age when meeting someone for the first time. “Oh, Caroline, where are you?” Tiger called out, adopting the sing-song pitch and cadence kids use when they play hide-and-seek. “Caroline, come on out so we can play.” Tiger walked around the set theatrically. “My goodness, is she . . . over here?” No! . . . Let me check over here.” Tiger then got down on all fours and crawled over to look under the chair where he knew she was hiding. “There you are! Peekaboo, I see you! My name is Tiger. Why don’t you come out and play?”