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American Morning

Woods Set Himself Up for Even Greater

Aired April 15, 2002 - 08:58   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: He's the perfect fit for the Masters. That would be 42 long, to be exact. That is the size of the green jacket Tiger Woods is wearing again as a result of winning his third Masters title at the ripe old age of 26, his second in a row. He's only the third player ever to win the Masters back to back. Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo the other two that did that.

Just after the victory, he sat down with a little one on one interview with CNNSI's Tom Rinaldi, and Tom joins us this morning from Augusta, Georgia. Tom, quite a performance by that young man yesterday.

TOM RINALDI, CNNSI CORRESPONDENT: Nothing he does seems to surprise us any more, Jack. You know, the gates to Augusta National are closed the day after, but the record books obviously wide open. As you mention, 26 years old, he's already the winner of seven major championships in golf. Davis Love III said that playing against Tiger now is like playing against Jack Nicklaus in his prime. As for what Woods thoughts were, we had a chance to sit down with him and talk last night after his victory.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RINALDI: Since you first won here in '97, you said this week, you talked about how much the course has changed over the last several years. What's changed more since your first win, the course or you?

TIGER WOODS, MASTERS CHAMPION: I don't know. It's a great question, because, you know, I've definitely -- have changed, hopefully for the better, since then. The golf course has certainly changed as well. But, I've definitely become more experienced as a player and as a person too, on and off the golf course. And I think that has been a tough process, but a fun process as well. Everyone has to go through that maturation period, and we're always learning. And, it is pretty neat to be able to do that, and be able to do something else you love to do on top of that.

RINALDI: When you win, Tiger, obviously, you're exhausted. But trying to read you in the press conferences or the green jacket ceremony, what motivates you more? Is it the thrill of winning, or the fear of not winning?

WOODS: No, it is not about fear. You know, it is always about going out there and being competitive, and winning a championship. That is why we play. I don't know too many people who play in fear. That's not why we play. If that the case, then -- as for me, I wouldn't compete if that was the case. I enjoy getting out there and being competitive, and competing and, you know, getting out there with the best players in the world, and mixing it up and having a good time doing that. That, to me, is a lot of fun.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RINALDI: Woods only sets himself up to try to make even more history. No one has ever won three Masters in a row. Nicklaus and Faldo have won back to back. See if Woods will be able to do that next year, and now the next question, can he complete the grand slam, all four Majors in a calender year. He only sets himself up for even greater accomplishments -- Jack.

CAFFERTY: Tom, thanks. That's good stuff. Tom Rinaldi of CNNSI on arguably the greatest player ever.

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