No Greater Golf Challenge

NO GREATER GOLF CHALLENGE exists than winning the United States Open. Moving around the country to only the most beautiful and most difficult courses, the 2000 U.S. Open found itself on the Pacific coastline at Pebble Beach. And in the 100th Open, Tiger Woods conquered the course and the weather.

Some experts believed the 1997 Masters champion would never win the Open because he lacked patience. But Woods fought thick, gloomy June fog, storming to an opening round 65 and setting the course record.

Because of suspended play, almost 30 hours elapsed before Woods teed off for his second round. Darkness rapidly set in, allowing him only 12 holes. Arriving at 6:30 the following morning, Woods finished the remaining six holes, carding a 2-under 69.

Starting his third round immediately and battling a stiff wind, the golfer struggled early and shot a triple bogey on the third hole. But Woods rallied, registering an even-par 71 to put himself ten strokes in front.

The 24-year-old golfer provided spectators with a spectacular final round. After paring the front nine, Woods birdied four of the first five on the back nine. He concluded the final day with a 67 for a total of 272, besting the field by 15 shots.

Woods rewrote the record book. His margin of victory in a major tournament eclipsed the 13-stroke mark set in the 1862 British Open. He also broke the U.S. Open margin record of 11 shots held since 1899 by Willie Smith. In addition, Woods’s 272 matched Jack Nicklaus and Lee Janzen for the lowest score in Open history.

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POINT When Tiger Woods broke onto the professional golf scene, he amazed everyone. But everybody wondered if he would last. Woods has lasted. He tames tough golf courses, battles bad weather, and continues to be one of the top golfers in the world.

But while Tiger Woods fights through tough weather, there is one man in history who controls the weather—Jesus Christ. If Jesus played golf, he could prevent a rain delay just by speaking a few words. Don’t believe it? Just check out the story in Mark.

GOAL! Read the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41. Praise the Lord for his mighty power!