Taylor Smith (golfer) the 1996 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic on the PGA Tour, Smith had tied Tiger Woods at the end of regulation play and appeared to be heading for a playoff. It was then revealed that Smith's putter had an illegal grip and he was disqualified, giving Woods his second career win. Smith had been informed about his putter on the 9th hole but was allowed to continue playing while he appealed the ruling. The appeal was denied. Taylor Smith (golfer) Richard Taylor Smith (June 28, 1967 – July 21, 2007) was an American professional golfer. Smith was born in Pensacola, Florida
Tiger Woods addition to his first major, the 1997 Masters. Woods won this tournament by 12 strokes in a record-breaking performance and earned $486,000. He first reached the number one position in the world rankings in June 1997, less than a year after turning pro. Throughout the 2000s, Woods was the dominant force in golf—he won the 2000 U.S. Open by a record 15-shot margin. He was the top-ranked golfer in the world from August 1999 to September 2004 (264 weeks) and again from June 2005 to October 2010 (281 weeks). Woods took a self-imposed hiatus from professional golf from December 2009