In his 27 years long career, fans have got to know every detail of the legendary golfer, Tiger Woods. However, not many must be aware of how one of the greatest golfers of all time was nearly a left-handed player similar to his biggest opponent, Phil Mickelson. In a story shared by the late Earl Woods, the details of Tiger switching from playing with his left hand to his right were revealed.

The 15-time Major winner has emphasized many times the importance his father played in his successful career. Earl, who is an army veteran, was one of the reasons why Tiger chose the sport of golf. However, while junior Woods was still a toddler, his decision to use his left hand instead of his right began to worry his father. So how did Earl Woods resolve it?

How Tiger Woods was nearly a Lefty

Last year, a 12-part video series on Woods’ game and life was released by Golf Digest. In the penultimate episode, a clip of Tiger’s late father was also included in which he is seen disclosing a story where the future Hall of Famer was still a toddler.

Earl and his son were in the garage when Woods Sr. pinpointed Tiger as a left-handed golfer. “I unstrapped him out of his high chair and let him walk free”, the Senior Woods said. “He(Tiger) walked over and got his putter and went over and set up just like I did. And then I realized oh my God he is left-handed”.

Nonetheless, the future 15-time Major winner was quick to shift to the other side, as watching his father swing from the right constantly, made little Tiger decide to opt for the right side too. Earl added, “Took him two weeks to figure it out daddy’s not on this side, he’s on the other side. So in the middle of a swing he just stopped and walked around and set up right-handed”.

This moment made the Army veteran believe Tiger Woods had a bright future in golf. “This is when I knew I had something special”, Earl Woods ended. Though the golfer made the switch from left to right at a young age itself, what if he never made the change? The already enticing rivalry between him and Phil Mickelson would have gotten much spicier.

Though using his left hand to master golf isn’t normal, Mickelson has set an example. While Tiger too could have been one of the limited Lefty golfers, his shift only proved more profitable to him, as the golfer went on to rack win after win, thanks to his golden right hand. Would Tiger still be great if he had used his left hand? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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