We’ve seen a number of Tiger-Woods related items auctioned off in recent years – and for hefty sums. From a set of irons he used during his historic 2000-2001 run going for $US5.15 million to a piece of a scoreboard from his first-ever PGA Tour start fetching $US69,000 to a hand-written letter from Tiger selling for more than $US25,000. Anything Tiger-related is still a hot commodity as we approach three decades since he turned pro.
But there’s one incredibly valuable artefact that has never been sold and there’s a good reason for that. Well, a reason, that is. It can’t be sold right now, because its owner is “not really sure” where it is right now. Whoops.
We learned of this thanks to The Golfer’s Journal podcast, which had billionaire Warren Stephens on the latest episode. Stephens, who founded The Alotian Club and whose father is a former chairman of Augusta National, told Tom Coyne an amazing story about what happened at the conclusion of the 1997 Masters – specifically to the golf ball Woods used to put the finishing touches on his landmark 12-shot win. And even more amazing is his recollection of that ball’s current whereabouts.
What happened to Tiger’s ‘97 Masters winning ball? Hear Warren Stephens talk Augusta, the Alotian, and the Stephens Cup on the @GolfersJournal podcast. https://t.co/IsPaNnI5Lx pic.twitter.com/oLIJZmDDj5
— Tom Coyne (@coynewriter) October 23, 2024
“My oldest son was 11, he was sitting on 18 when Tiger walked off,” Stephens says in the clip. “Tiger or Fluff put the ball – gave the ball to our son. Now, the million-dollar question is where is it? And I’m not 100 percent sure. I’m not really sure. Um, I think we’ve still got it somewhere… Well, it’s probably in our house somewhere.”
Probably?! Unbelievable. We’re talking about the golf ball used for arguably the most famous win in all of golf history. How is that thing not displayed somewhere? Crazy stuff.
Anyway, Warren, let us know if you need help finding that golf ball. We’ll send an entire search party if we have to.
