Tiger Woods, the reigning Masters champion, reflected back to 2004, when he checked into a Hilton to play a practice round ahead of the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock Hills in New York.

According to Woods, while he was standing at the front desk - the legendary Muhammad Ali caught him by surprise with a "love tap" to the ribs.

Woods indicates that Ali, even at his advanced age and battling health issues, had hit him pretty hard. The shot was hard enough that Woods was actually angered by the punch and initially prepared himself for a physical confrontation - until he realized it was Ali who landed the 'love tap.'

Ali, a three time heavyweight champion, passed away in 2016 at the age of 74-years-old. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all-time.

"I’ve met him [Ali] on several occasions. But this is when I went for a practice at Shinnecock. The year that Goose [Retief Goosen] won out there," Woods stated in an interview with Golf Digest, according to Fox Sports.

“I checked into a hotel, I believe it is where the Hiltons live, and so I’m checking in and I just have my backpack and literally my golf clubs. I’m just going up there for a day trip or stay the night and get up early the next morning and go play golf.

“I’m in line at the front desk and I get hit in the ribs, my right ribs. And it hurt. And I whip around and I’m thinking I’m just going to hit somebody. I was so pissed. I look around and it’s Muhammad Ali.

“He said ‘Hey kid, how are you?’ I said, ‘Why did you have to give me a love tap that hard?’ He was old but it still hurt. And I just can’t imagine being hit in a ring for 15 rounds like they used to fight back in the day. It’s just crazy.”