In 1997, Tiger Woods famously won his first major championship at the Masters in record-setting fashion. His four-round total of 18 under par resulted in a 12-stroke margin of victory over Tom Kite — a record that still stands to this day.
Given its historical significance, any memorabilia from that Masters is worth a small fortune. In recent years, the “Tiger Slam” irons fetched $5.1 million, and Woods’ Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS sold for almost $400,000.
But what happened to the ball Woods used for his final strokes before signing for a Sunday 69 at Augusta National? According to Warren Stephens, son of then-Augusta National chairman Jackson T. Stephens, Woods’ ball found its way into Warren’s son’s hand, just off the 18th green.
On the latest The Golfer’s Journal Podcast hosted by Tom Coyne, Warren reflected on the momentous day in 1997.
“Dad had the honor of being the chairman when Tiger won his first major and his first Masters,” Warren said. “I was there. It was great. Everybody was so excited because here, you know, everybody knows Tiger Woods, with all this potential.
How was Tiger Woods No. 1 for so long? He answered with 14 words
“My oldest son was 11. He was sitting off of 18 when Tiger walked off. It didn’t make the Sports Illustrated picture, but there was another golf magazine that has — there’s a picture of him and another guy right there when Tiger comes off 18, and actually either Tiger or Fluff put the ball, gave the ball to our son.”
That 11-year-old boy would now be nearing 40. But does he still have the ball?
“I’m not 100 percent sure,” Warren Stephens confessed. “I think we’ve still got it somewhere. It’s probably in our house somewhere.”
If the Stephens family could find the ball, it would likely fetch quite a price. In 2023, a ball Woods gave to 9-year-old fan Julien Nexsen on the 5th hole during the final round of the 1997 Masters sold for $64,164 from auction house Golden Age Auctions. The ball, a Titleist Professional, had the word “Tiger” stamped on it.
“Unless Tiger himself or his caddie Fluff intentionally saved a ball from this historic final round (which we doubt), this may be the only confirmed golf ball from the final round of Tiger Woods’ first major championship victory,” Golden Age Auctions said in the ball’s description online.
But sounds like there’s at least one more ball out there.
You may listen to the full episode of the podcast here.
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