Tiger Woods celebrates after winning the 2005 Masters. | Getty Images
Woods makes his long awaited return to professional golf this week, which leads us to ask, what is your favorite Tiger memory?
Tiger Woods returns to professional golf this week at the Hero World Challenge after a nearly 8-month layoff.
He last competed at Augusta National in April but was forced to withdraw after the third round of the Masters thanks to a sore foot. The cold and wet conditions from that soaked Saturday morning did not help his cause either.
Woods then had surgery on his ankle a couple of weeks later and has since been rehabbing at his home in South Florida.
The 15-time major champion has been spotted caddying for his son Charlie while also walking around the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico—held at one of his courses.
But the return of Woods leads us to ask, what is your favorite Tiger memory?
Tiger Woods Memories
My favorite Tiger memory came in June 2009, when my Dad and I attended the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. Mind you, this was when Tiger Woods was at the height of his powers—before the promiscuous scandal and countless back injuries. He was the most famous athlete on the planet whom everyone adored.
That week, torrential rain had soaked the entire grounds on Long Island, forcing a suspension of play on Thursday. So Saturday was the second round, and we were sitting in the grandstand behind the par-3 17th on Saturday morning.
For those unfamiliar with Bethpage Black, the 17th green faces the 15th tee and 16th green. The first green is also within view, thus creating one of the best views on the golf course.
Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images
Tiger Woods reacts to his missed putt on the 17th green during the continuation of the second round of the 2009 U.S. Open Championship on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park.
Alas, I will never forget the moment when Tiger crossed Round Swamp Road—the road players walk over when going from the little par-3 14th to the nearly impossible par-4 15th.
Thousands upon thousands of people were following him, trying to get a glimpse of him. The masses of people who wanted to follow this one man still amaze me to this day. If I had to guess, there were at least 50,000 people within this small one-mile radius—if not that figure, more.
So when Tiger finally arrived at the 17th hole that day, he failed to get up and down to save par. He went on to finish in a tie for sixth, four strokes behind champion Lucas Glover. But this was my first ever live glimpse of Tiger, and it will remain with me for a lifetime.
That’s mine, but what is your favorite Tiger Woods memory?
Let us know in the comments below.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko for more golf coverage. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough too.
