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‘She Doesn’t Belong Out Here’: Tiger Woods’ Fierce Rival Taunted the Greatest Female Golfer Ever With a Controversial Statement in 2003

Published 11/27/2022, 8:05 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The former number one golfer, Tiger Woods, and Fijian golfer Vijay Singh are well known for their rivalry. However, in 2003, their rivalry was not the only reason for Singh being in the limelight. But it was the woman golfer, Annika Sorenstam. Singh won 32 PGA tour events, including three major championships. He was striving to be equal to the greatest of all time, Tiger Woods.

However, Annika was about to become the first woman in 58 years to play on the men’s golf tour, PGA. The Fijian golfer was extremely against this notion and disliked her at all possible levels. His statements about the female golfer will leave you in shock. Let’s find out what he said about one of the best woman golfers in the world.

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Why was Singh against the woman golfer?

The Fijian golfer never denied that Annika was among the best woman golfers in history. But according to him, she did not belong on the PGA tour. He said“she doesn’t belong out here.” Singh further said he wanted to emphasize that she was a woman golfer. A woman does not belong on the PGA tour. That tour was only for men.

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Singh finished runner-up at Wachovia Championship and later talked to the press. He revealed his true feelings about Annika playing on the PGA tour there. The three-time major championship winner was desperate. He wanted her to miss the cut in the upcoming colonial. Also, he stated that if the odd chance of him pairing with Annika happens, he will not play in the tournament.

via Getty

Annika was about to become the first woman to play on the PGA tour in 58 years. Before her, Babe Zaharias was the one who qualified to play on the PGA tour in 1945. However, according to the Fijian golfer, Annika had no business playing on the PGA tour. She should stick to the LPGA tour, where she belongs.

The rivalry between Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh

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The infamous Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh rivalry first took off in 2003. However, it developed during the 2004 campaign. Wood was on top of the Official World Golf Rankings for 264 consecutive weeks. But in 2004, Singh surpassed him and became number one. 

Because he won nine events that year, including the PGA Championship, the fire between them reached new heights when the Fijian golfer was selected as the Player of the Year on the PGA Tour for 2004. Even though Vijay was behind Woods overall because he only had five top-three finishes. 2004 was a good year for the rival of the G.O.A.T.

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Watch this story- Inside Tiger Woods’ Love-Hate Relationship With His Great Rival

What are your thoughts about statements of Vijay about the woman golfer Annika? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Saumya Yashawant

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One take at a time

A Commerce graduate who turned her passion into her profession, Saumya is a Golf writer at Essentially Sports. Having developed the love for the sport at a very young age, she watched Tiger Woods and caught inspiration from his legacy early on. Apart from Woods, she shares great admiration for her country's players like Vishwanathan Anand and Neeraj Chopra.
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Edited by:

Manaal Siddiqui

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