Abraham Ancer, the rising star of Mexican golf, made waves at the 2019 Presidents Cup when he boldly requested a showdown with none other than Tiger Woods – and got exactly what he asked for.
Ancer, now a member of the controversial LIV Golf circuit and absent from this year’s International Team, had set his sights on facing the golf legend. With Woods serving as Team USA’s playing captain and fresh off his 15th major win at the Masters, he was in peak form heading into the Sunday singles of the matchplay competition.
Before the tournament, Ancer, then a part of the International Team, was asked who he’d like to play against in Melbourne. His answer was straightforward: “I would like to play against Tiger.”
In a twist of fate, Ancer’s wish was granted, and he found himself going head-to-head with Woods in the first match of the day. However, like many before him, Ancer couldn’t get past the golf icon. Woods delivered a classic performance, defeating Ancer 3&2 and propelling Team USA to a 16-14 victory on international soil. Reflecting on the tournament, Woods said, “I hit it well this week,” making it clear that Ancer’s challenge had only fueled his competitive fire.
Years later, Ancer reflected on the high-profile matchup, clarifying that his original comments weren’t meant to be cocky or disrespectful but simply an eagerness to test himself against one of the game’s greatest. “When they asked me that at Mayakoba,” Ancer explained, “the question was in Spanish, so the tone wasn’t challenging or cocky at all. At that moment, I thought it would be a great experience, which it was. Regardless of the outcome, I knew I would become a better player from being in that situation.”