Tiger Woods tells Jason Day how he rose to the top with brutal honesty.
recounted a conversation he had with Tiger Woods that still haunts him, and the 15-time major champion gave a typically honest answer.
Tiger Woods and Jason Day (Getty Images)
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Tiger Woods made a remarkable statement when Jason Day asked him why he’s been such a dominant force in golf for so long. Regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time, Woods dominated the greens in the late ’90s and 2000s, and at age 48, he stunned fans with his incredible resilience and victory at the 2019 Masters, marking his 15th major victory after an epic 11-year major tournament drought. During those golden years, Tiger dominated the golf world, racking up 683 weeks as the world’s No. 1 player. Curious about the recipe for Tiger’s unparalleled accomplishments, Day turned to Woods himself for answers. During a conversation with Smiley Kaufman on the podcast, Day recalled a key exchange he had with Woods that stuck with him.
Day said he once asked Woods, “What keeps you on top for so long?” Woods’ response was curt: “I’m not as talented as you are, so I had to work harder.”
Day took Woods’ comment seriously, without being modest or flippant, and said, “That’s bullshit, he’s way more talented than I am!”
Day turned pro in 2006, by which time Woods had already won 10 majors, with one major win to his name, the 2015 PGA Championship. He was within striking distance of winning each of the other three majors, including a remarkable second-place finish within six strokes of eventual winner Brian Harman at the 2023 British Open.
Jason Day reflects on his time at the top of golf’s game in 2015 and 2016, when he won eight of his 13 PGA Tour titles and the PGA Championship, and shares his thoughts on his strict fitness regimen. Tiger Woods shakes hands with Jason Day (PGA Tour)
“In 2015 and 2016, when I was in top shape, I did all my supersets,” Day admitted. “I trained to failure, I trained twice a day (in the gym), I ate chicken and broccoli for every meal that day. I never worked on technique… everything was goal-oriented so injuries just naturally happened.
Kramer Kaufman noted the similarities with Tiger Woods’ experience and wondered if Day saw a reflection of himself in the legend’s journey. Day admitted: “Getting to the top was a lifestyle choice. Some of these guys can do it, like Dustin Johnson, and some of these guys can naturally become No. 1… They don’t train as hard as you or I.
“They’re just naturally talented and they can do it, and it doesn’t seem to affect their lives that much. And then there are people like me, even Tiger, for example,” he explained.
Day emphasized the combination of technique, hard work and mental toughness, concluding, “The great thing he did was combine great technique with an incredible work ethic and a great mental game.” This triple effect simply brings success.
