Everything has a price, including one of the most important putters in golf history. That’s right, Tiger Woods’ iconic Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS putter is on the auction block at Golden Age Golf Auctions. To be clear, this isn’t Woods’ current gamer, but rather a personal backup that was produced by Scotty Cameron himself for the 15-time major winner.
It’s arguably the closest anyone will ever get to possessing the putter that won 14 majors.
With sports memorabilia on the rise, some truly iconic golf pieces have surfaced at auction houses in the past year. Last September, a backup version of Woods’ putter from 2001 season — the same year he completed the “Tiger Slam” at the Masters — fetched nearly $155,000 before the hammer slammed.
While it’s difficult to top an identical backup putter from one of Woods’ more important seasons, the latest offering has provenance that could take it over the top. In addition possession some of the same markings as Woods’ gamer, the putter also comes with an early 2003 letter from Scotty Cameron.
The letter, signed by Cameron, verifies the “Putter was made as a backup for Tiger Woods.” The note is a special piece of history that the 2001 version doesn’t include, increasing the rarity — if that’s even possible — of a one-of-a-kind putter.
This particular putter also features Woods’ initials on the toe, a certificate of authenticity from Scotty Cameron, and a Circle T headcover to round it out. Considering there might only be 7 backup versions of Woods’ famed Newport 2 GSS in existence, it’s easy to see this one crossing into the six-figure range without breaking a sweat.
Who knows, it might be worth seven figures one day.
“We spoke to one prominent Scotty Cameron collector who said it is his understanding that 7 or so genuine Tiger red dot ‘backups’ exist, including the offered putter,” the auction listing states. “When another well-regarded collector was asked whether a Tiger backup will sell for $1 million one day, his response was ‘100 percent.'”
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