News
Bag Chatter’s Top Tiger Moments
The entire country was talking about Tiger’s remarkable win at Bay Hill last week.
Tiger making the final birdie putt to win was a foregone conclusion in many people’s minds. Rather than settle for the mundane, Woods has a flair for the dramatic that can’t be matched. Michael Jordan seemed to hang in the air just a second longer than the people he played against. As a child of the 1990’s, it was hard for me to believe that any athlete could ever match him. Now Tiger Woods has surpassed him. It got me thinking about my favorite Tiger Woods moments, so I polled the rest of the Bag Chatter staff to see what they thought.
A Raehtz: My top Tiger shot is putt at Valhalla on the 17th at the 2000 PGA Championship to take the lead over Bob May. Every single Tiger Woods highlight reel has footage of Tiger walking the putt in with his finger pointed at the hole. It is simply timeless. He walks it in, picks it up, and charges to the next tee. There are very few times in golf that you get to see that cutthroat mentality like Tiger at Valhalla. He just couldn’t wait to get on that tee and finish May off with a giant drive.
D Grannan: My defining moment in the career of Tiger Woods is when he beat Stephen Ames, 9 and 8 in the Accenture World Match Play. After being asked about his chances in the match with Tiger, Ames stated "Anything can happen….Especially where he’s hitting the ball." Talk about inserting ones foot in their mouth. Apparently that statement motivated Tiger to unleash a beating rarely seen in golf, especially at the professional level. Tiger was asked if the statements made by Ames motivated him, he replied with a resounding and confident, "Yes". Then he was asked if he cared to elaborate, Tiger replied just as quickly and surely, "No." It is a perfect example of what Tiger can do when he is motivated, total destruction of a player or the field. Stephen Ames was handed one of the worst defeats in Match play history all because he made the mistake of unleashing a lion, or in this case a Tiger. This incident reminds me of several others that include Vijay, Rory, and Phil, all misstepping by calling Tiger out and then paying the price for doing so. It is almost as if Mr. Woods has a special gear that he can go to when he is upset by some silly comment made from one of his peers. He lets his clubs do the talking, maybe people should work on that instead of using their mouths.
K Vakamudi: I know it’s a cliche but anytime I think about Tiger Woods, the first thing that comes to mind is the 16th at Augusta in 2005. No other athlete before and no one since has had such an uncanny knack for making the impossible look routine. It was nearly an impossible shot to get close, let alone hole out. But a typical pitch that went flying down the hill slamming into the pin, would be far too easy. This shot had destiny written all over it, sauntering down the hill with the perfect line and perfect speed only to stop at the edge of the hole. The milliseconds during which the ball hung on the edge of the hole seemed to go on forever until it finally fell into the hole. Even the most talented author couldn’t have imagined a more perfect story. It transcended real life and for a moment crept into fantasy.
M Anderson: For every moment that Tiger Woods performs feats unparalleled in golf history, the one that stands out for me is not one of his mastery of ball and club but his reaction to his victory at The Open at Hoylake in 2006. Ten times previously, Tiger had dominated the field and gone home with the spoils: a green jacket, a claret jug, the Wanamaker and the US Open Trophies. Ten times he had turned to his family to celebrate. This time was different. For the first time, Tiger could no longer turn to the man who had been his best friend and mentor. Earl Woods, Tiger’s father, had died a mere 2 months previously.
On that day, Tiger’s famed self-control cracked and for once we were privileged to see the man rather than the marvel as this phenomenally talented and dedicated sportsman broke into tears in the knowledge that this was a victory that he could not share with the man who more than any other allowed him to become who he has. In an era of arrogance and bluster, when soundbites take anyway any sense that sportsman are one of us, here was someone exposed as exactly that, experiencing heartbreak at what should be a moment of supreme joy. Tiger often makes the superlative look mundane but this was the first time that the public caught a glimpse of the extraordinary man behind the achievements and his love and admiration for his "Pops" who made it all possible.
What’s your favorite Tiger moment? Discuss it in our forums!
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.
In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Jason Day – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- SungJae Im – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
Pullout Albums
- Jason Day’s 1off Payntr golf shoes – 2026 The Memorial
- JT Poston’s TaylorMade Spider – 2026 The Memorial
- Cameron putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Tommy Fleetwood’s TM Spider putters – 2026 The Memorial
- New Mitsubishi Chemical 1K Pro Orange shaft – 2026 The Memorial
Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.
Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.
PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole
Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.
Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.
Henley’s Suitcase
- Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
- Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
- Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
- Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
- Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype
LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!
Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.
Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.
Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.
Celine’s Suitcase
- Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
- Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
- Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
- Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
- Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS
DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!
Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.
Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.
Kaneko’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping Max G440
- Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
- Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
- Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7
Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro
Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.
The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.
Alvaro’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
- Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
- Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
- Wedges
- Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C
A party on the green!
Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026
LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin
Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.
Niemann’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping 440 LST
- Metal: Ping G440 Max at 15 degrees
- Metal: Ping G425 Max at 21 degrees
- Hybrid: Ping G430 at 25 degrees
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S 5 through PW
- Wedges: Ping S159 at 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Ping PLD Anser
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 80 TX
Irons: Titleist T250 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48), S400 (47)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Photos from the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
CJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
Charles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
Details on J.J. Spaun’s surprise putter switch
GolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
Photos from the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
PGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
Photos from the ShopRite LPGA
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
Si Woo Kim WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
Dan
Mar 25, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Peter,
Since you called me out I will go ahead and reply to your little blurb. You are entitled to your opinion, as am I. In no way, shape, or form did I say that anyone should ever lie down and fail to compete. But players should be careful what they say with respect to Tiger’s game as it apparently motivates him to unleash a beating. Wouldn’t you think people would learn? Why call his game out? Like I mentioned in my little paragraph, instead of trying to use your mouth to irk Tiger, why not use your clubs?
I don’t worship anyone or anything, just as an FYI. As a former professional golfer I can appreciate what he is doing and has done. I only can control myself and my own actions, I cannot control what other professionals want to do. They can adhere to whatever beliefs that they want to, and I personally could care less if they talk trash or not. But if they do, as history has clearly shown, they best be prepared to reap the whirlwind from Tiger.
I was relaying a story per a request. If you did not like my take on it, oh well, comes with the territory. My brief paragraph highlighted a memorable moment in Tiger’s career. It happened to be about the beating he gave Ames, which was obvious it was because of what he said. If you want to add fuel to the fire of possibly the greatest player ever, feel free and go ahead. I would subscribe to the notion of letting my abilities do the work, not my mouth. I never once said that someone should worship Tiger, but respect is a different story. Be careful what you say as it can come back to bite you in the behind.
If you can point out in my article where I stated or implied that all of professional golf should lie down and not compete to make way for the Tiger show, I would love to see it.
Dan
therobsclub
Mar 22, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I’m gonna have to go with Tiger’s unmightyly shot from the bunker at Hazeltine with a 3 iron on 18. To hit it that high, over a tree that is literally right in front of him, and stick it to 10 feet and make a birdie is just incredible!!!! You literally have to stand there in the bunker and see what he had to work with. He even claims that, that is his best shot ever. The 16th at Augusta was a great shot, but the theatrics of it make it seem like it was the most amazing shot in golf. If you take a look at the chip that Palmer made against Player in the Masters, everyone will tell you that it was harder than Tiger’s chip.
Peter
Mar 22, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Hey D Grannan, so every other professional golfer should just stand aside and join the banal and sycophantic hero worship of Tiger that you subscribe to?
Without taking anything away from the guy – and he clearly is the best golfer on the planet by a long way – the other guys out there cannot, and must not, concede defeat. They *must* strive, they *must* continue to believe that they can beat everyone else, including Tiger.
Otherwise competitive professional golf with cease to exist and the multi-million industry will simply stop.
There has to be a sense of question about who will win any particular event, otherwise whats the point? It becomes the Tiger show, and frankly, that gets boring very very quickly.
Pingback: Bag Chatter’s Top Tiger Moments | Top Area