"ANNOYING". "ANNOYING"

Tiger Woods, 46 years old, was not only playing golf when he stepped onto Augusta's first tee with Ian Poulter in 2019, but it was also a way to rekindle a long-standing feud.

Woods became Masters champion after winning the third round battle.

Michael Bamberger, author of The Second Life of Tiger Woods recounts the day Woods and Poulter, an English Ryder Cup legend, clashed at Augusta three years ago.

He said that Tiger likes to beat everyone, but he prefers certain golfers more than others.

We need to look back several years in order to understand this fractious relationship.

Poulter famously stated in 2008 that when he played well, it was only him and Woods who mattered.

He stated, "The problem is that I don't rate any other person."

"Don't get it wrong, I respect all professional golfers, but I know that I haven't played my best and when that happens, it'll be me and Tiger."

Poults was ridiculed for his remark. He was 22nd in the world at that time. Lee Westwood ribbed him, who called him "number two".

Hank Haney, Woods' ex-coach, lit the fire in his tell-all memoir. He revealed what happened to Poulter in 2007 when Woods' private jet was unattended.

Haney claimed Woods, who sat right in front of him, sent him a text saying: "Can't you believe that d*** mooched me a ride on your plane?"

Poulter answered a question about the incident by saying, "The book doesn't have anything to do with me and it has no interest in my commenting."

It only served to calm the tension.

Bamberger suggested being drawn with Poulter, who, according to the author, Woods finds "annoying", too cheeky, and too loud". This had Woods boiling again.

This was perhaps exacerbated by Poulter's third appearance in lilac pants, which clashed with Woods’ lilac shirt.

Masters week is a predetermined time frame for what clothes players will wear.

It is possible that a small detail such as this lit a fire at Woods, who shot a 5-under 67 to Poulter’s 68 that day.

They had played together one year before but were miles apart of contention in 2019, unlike 2019.

Poulter spoke about that moment and said, to his credit he knew Woods was just waiting for him to strike.

He stated, "He was ready. He had all the shots. And he was pretty damn good. He was able to play more together than he did a year ago, by a mile.

"There was a buzz all day Saturday. It was great fun to play with him, but it was obvious that he was lurking.

It was a great result. Woods held on to a one-shot victory the next day to secure his comeback from a sex controversy, DUI arrest, and four back surgeries.

It's crazy to think that flashy pants could have contributed.

Woods is back in St Andrews this week, as he aims to win the Open Championship for the first time since 2006.

After a long rehab period following a devastating car accident in February last year, the golfing GOAT is now back on the fairway.