"This might be my last win as a golfer" – When Y.E. Yang stunned Tiger Woods at the 2009 PGA Championship

At the 2009 PGA Championship, Y.E. Yang beat Tiger Woods to pull off one of the greatest upsets in golf history. With this win, he etched his name forever in the record books and earned the title of 'Tiger Killer.'

Tiger Woods entered the 2009 PGA Championship as the tournament favorite and played impressively to take a 54-hole lead. He had carded 67-70-71 over three days and had a two-stroke lead over Pádraig Harrington and Y.E. Yang, who had never finished in the top 10 in a Major. However, what happened in the final round was unexpected, both for Woods and for golf fans.

Woods struggled with putting throughout the day, making just two birdies while bogeying five holes. Yang remained at even par for the first 13 holes before overtaking the four-time PGA champion with an eagle on the 14th hole. He didn’t look back from there, and a birdie on the final hole helped him win by a three-stroke margin.

"You never know in life," he said in the post-round interview. "This might be my last win as a golfer, but it sure is a great day."

Before the 2009 PGA Championship, Tiger Woods was 14-0 when leading after 54 holes. Besides, he had been undefeated for the past nine years when holding a two-shot lead. However, Yang, who became the first Asian male golfer to win a Major, had other plans for the day.

With his 2009 PGA Championship victory, Yang earned the nickname 'Tiger Killer.' This was because the South Korean golfer's first two wins came against the legendary Woods. In one interview, Yang candidly discussed the story behind his two wins against the legend.

"When I won the 2006 HSBC Championship in Shanghai, Tiger, who was on an earlier flight, had finished with a good score," he said, as per Talk Sports. "But I came in later and beat him to second place."

"Then at the 2009 PGA Championship, Tiger led by two shots going into the final round. But, playing in the same flight, I did not want to be intimidated by him and focused on my own game, and finally edged him to runner-up spot by three shots. Following those two trends, I was given the nickname.

---

Tiger Woods' performance at the PGA Championship explored

Tiger Woods has competed in the PGA Championship 23 times, missing the cut on five occasions. He boasts nine top-10 finishes, including four victories and three runner-up placements.

Here's a look at Woods' results at the PGA Championship:

• 1997: T29
• 1998: T10
• 1999: 1
• 2000: P1
• 2001: T29
• 2002: 2
• 2003: T39
• 2004: T24
• 2005: T4
• 2006: 1
• 2007: 1
• 2009: 2
• 2010: T28
• 2011: CUT
• 2012: T11
• 2013: T40
• 2014: CUT
• 2015: CUT
• 2018: 2
• 2019: CUT
• 2020: T37
• 2022: W/D
• 2024: CUT