You know how the best in the game always have that unshakable presence. Well, Tiger Woods might be the ultimate example. And if you’re not convinced, just listen to what six-time PGA Tour winner Hunter Mahan had to say on the Par 3 Podcast with J.R. Smith and Stephen Malbon.

Speaking on the podcast, Mahan shared how Woods harnessed an intense, almost overwhelming aura that made competitors uneasy. “There was an intensity that was very unknown to everybody And he used that in a huge, huge way because everyone was very uncomfortable about it, and they couldn’t do anything about it,” Mahan said. Imagine standing on the tee box with someone who carried an air of inevitability—Woods wasn’t just there to compete; he was there to dominate.

Mahan explained how Tiger’s focus and presence created a psychological edge, saying it wasn’t just about s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁—it was mental warfare, turning opponents’ discomfort into an advantage. “He (Woods) used that discomfort to his advantage,” Mahan shared. Competing against Woods wasn’t just tough; it was almost impossible to play your best when you were up against someone who seemed untouchable.

Tiger Woods himself summed up his approach perfectly during a 2018 Tiger Jam charity event: “I can’t control you. The only thing I can control is me. Now, if I do this more efficiently than you, if you get intimidated, that’s your own f—-ing issue.”

Tiger Woods is all set for his return