Tiger Woods’ mental game and golfing skills have inspired golfers and strengthened their mentality. However, the legendary golfer somehow ended up negatively affecting a PGA Tour professional’s career, as the latter experienced problematic starts.

Billy Horschel has shared insights in The Players’ Tribune and opened up on his struggles. The golfer revealed having a love-hate relationship with the major championships, but the hate part was more frequent. Horschel also stated that it happened because of his approach to playing in the majors that stemmed from watching Tiger Woods‘ dominance in them.

“Growing up, we all watched Tiger dominate them. Everything about his game seemed perfect. So when I turned pro and started playing more consistently in majors, I tried to be perfect, too. I thought that to win one you had to be absolutely dialed. That everything had to be at 100.

“…I’d get so caught up in my own head that I’d get off to these horrible starts and just forget to be myself, I’d lose the joy of looking up and seeing the ball fly at my target. And for a decade, really. I struggled like that.”

While reflecting on how Tiger Woods indirectly affected him, Horschel stated that it was easy for others to suggest that golfers be themselves. He added that even after carrying good results in majors, he still needed to work hard to relax and be himself during those events.

Tiger Woods’ golfing skills and “never give up” attitude have carried him throughout his career, culminating in his fifth Masters title in 2019. However, Horschel was not the only one who was negatively affected by the 82-time PGA Tour winner.

Apart from Billy Horschel, another golf veteran fell victim to Tiger Woods’ indirect negative impact

In 2022, veteran golfer Ernie Els was featured in an edition of GOLF’s Subpar Podcast. The Big Easy talked about the world-class golfer’s impact on the sport in detail and also revealed how Woods indirectly affected him.

Els stated in the podcast that he would have won more if Tiger Woods were not around and further stated (quotes taken via GOLF):

“If Tiger wasn’t around, I definitely would have won more golf tournaments, but I wouldn’t have made as much money… His pursuit of winning, his pursuit of excellence throughout the event.”

“…This guy was just a freakin’ machine. He still is. When he plays, he’s there to win.”

In the 2022 episode of GOLF’s Subpar, Els also addressed Wood’s injuries, stating that the latter is now “half the man he was.” However, Els claimed that even in that condition, the former World No. 1 would find a way to be victorious on the course.