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Tournaments

Golf’s 7 most-‘liked’ Instagram moments of 2019: From Tiger and Rory to a dancing caddie

Tim ReillyBy Tim Reilly
December 26, 2019
Tiger Woods winning the Masters had golf fans everywhere hitting the "like" button.
Getty Images

From Tiger Woods’ Masters win to the U.S. team’s come-from-behind Presidents Cup victory, there was a lot for golf fans to get excited about on social media in 2019. We live in a two-screen world these days and we’re all anxious to not only watch the action but to live (and re-live) in the moment with one another on social media.

These were the most liked, shared and commented on posts from GOLF’s Instagram in 2019.

7) Justin Thomas recognizes Rory McIlroy as a ‘class act’

Heading into the ’19 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, all eyes were on Rory. Having set the course record at just 16 years old, the weight of a country was on Rory’s shoulders in his return to Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, Rory’s Open chances slipped away immediately when his opening tee shot sailed O.B. Despite the hole he dug himself into after an opening-round 79, Rory battled back to nearly make the cut on Day 2.

He remained stoic all week in the spotlight, but Rory fought back tears in an emotional post-round interview after a premature departure from The Open. The golf world admired Rory for his candid interview and JT was one of the many to speak on the class Rory carries himself with. Rory may not have won the Claret Jug at home, but he did leave with the respect of his peer and golf fans everywhere.

6) Abe Ancer wanted Tiger, and Tiger let his play do the talking

A month before the Presidents Cup, Ancer said he wanted to square off with Tiger in a match. Although Ancer later clarified he wasn’t necessarily calling Tiger out with his comments, it was clear Tiger used those words as motivation as he defeated Ancer, 3&2, in the opening Sunday singles match to jumpstart the U.S. team’s comeback.

Be careful what you wish for…

5) Tiger reacts to big-time wager on him to win the Masters

Tiger wasn’t the only one who won big at Augusta, those who bet on him to win won big, too. At Tiger’s yearly charitable event, Tiger Jam, an attendee asked Tiger what he thought of the gambler who wagered $85,000 on him to win the Masters, “f—ing great bet,” said Tiger.

I mean, he’s not wrong. It was a great bet. I’m just jealous that I didn’t have an extra $85,000 laying around to bet on Tiger myself. As for the wager for Tiger to win the grand slam? “He was a dumba– for the grand slam part though,” Tiger added.

You win some, you lose some.

4) It’s a Christmas onesie miracle!

TaylorMade released the Christmas Card of the Year when they dropped Jon Rahm, Jason Day, Tiger, Dustin Johnson, Rory, Matthew Wolff and Colin Morikawa in matching onesies. The idea was conceived in 2018 but just didn’t come together in time. Once TaylorMade had their 2019 shoot date set, the Christmas card shoot was put into motion and Senior Writer Sean Zak found out just how they were able to convince this group of superstars to go for the idea.

3) Dance, rookie, dance!

Xander Schauffele was impressive in his Presidents Cup debut, but his caddie, Austin Kaiser, came away as the Instagram star. Following the win in Australia, Kaiser was filmed breaking it down with the Presidents Cup trophy. Someone can be heard shouting “dance, rookie, dance!” at Kaiser, and I think he had enough liquid courage to oblige. No word on if Kaiser’s celebration has ended by now.

Xander has game on the course and Kaiser is the one with game on the dance floor. That’s quite the dynamic duo.

2) One GOAT supporting another GOAT

While Tiger was coming down the final stretch at Augusta, the most decorated Olympian of all-time, Michael Phelps, appeared in several broadcast shots. Most notably, Phelps was spotted watching intently as Tiger stared down his tee shot on the par-3 16th hole. Seeing Phelps as a fan was a reminder of the awe Tiger can bring out in us all.

With the 23-time-gold medalist looking on, Tiger came within mere inches of an ace. We might’ve gotten a reaction from Phelps reminiscent to the 2008 4×100 freestyle relay during the Beijing Olympic Games if that ball had gone in. Phelps later called the win “one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.” High praise from a man with that many world titles.

1) Tiger’s circle of life

When Tiger broke through at the ’97 Masters, he shared an emotional moment with his father in celebration. 22-years-old later, Tiger shared another emotional moment at Augusta, but this time it was with his two children. The smile on Tiger’s face as his kids embraced him was all you needed to know about how his priorities have shifted; his life has truly come full circle.

One thing that hasn’t changed over two decades later? Tiger is still winning green jackets.

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