Tiger would have only been ~ 10-13 years old in the late ‘80s. Doubtful that golf pros were saying crap like that about him then.
Tiger’s father was a veteran and they used military golf courses to train and play because the private clubs didn’t want them there.
It as probably in the early to mid 90’s when I lived in Charlotte. It has been a while but he was new and upcoming. Respected but the guy I heard say it was a lot older.
And yes, I heard it with my own ears. First time I had ever head that phrase so it stood out.