When Scotland’s current top-ranked Stephen Gallacher first met Tiger Woods he was clearly in awe of the American but that has now been replaced by ‘shock’ at the scores being produced by the former long-time World No. 1.

Gallacher was a member of the 1995 GB & I Walker Cup team when they faced an American team featuring Woods, who had arrived in Wales having won three US Junior Amateur titles and two of eventually three US Amateur crowns.

“When I first met Tiger, and it was at Royal Porthcawl for the ’95 Walker Cup, there was this aura around him,” said Gallacher at a media outing to promote next month’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane to the east of Edinburgh.

Scotland’s top-ranked Stephen Gallacher shocked by the scores being posted by Tiger Woods. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“We knew of his amateur record and he came to Wales a phenomenal player and while he was on a losing team that year, we all knew what he would be capable of when he turned pro and that was just a short time later.

“He went out and won a first Major blowing the field away by 12 shots in the 1997 Masters.

“But the scores Tiger is shooting now comes as a real shock, and I know it is a shock to all of us out on Tour wondering how can he be shooting rounds on the 80s given he’s won 18 Majors.”

In fact, Woods is continuing to break records for all the wrong reasons including a third round 85 in last week’s Memorial that was his worst round as a professional.

Woods effort in the Jack Nicklaus hosted event came after shooting a score of 82 earlier this year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and his then highest round as a pro.

“I am not sure if Tiger is carrying an injury and that could be the underlying reason for the 85 he shot at the Memorial,” said Gallacher also to Reuters.

“But even if is an injury it’s just not like him to be shooting 85s.

“Before late last year Tiger was never shooting scores like that but then you may have to put it all down to swing changes and the fact he was off injured for a long time last season.

“He has been the best player of our generation and it’s disappointing to seem him suffering in shooting rounds like he did at the Memorial, as it is so unlike what we have been long used to in watching him play.

“I read that Jack Nicklaus came out and spoke with him and try to encourage him.

“But then given what we have seen from Tiger over the years I would not bet against him winning another Major.

“I think also it would be foolish to do so given he has been so used to winning in his career and he can just find the path to go down he should be fine.”