Tiger Woods’ winning ball from the 1997 Masters tournament may be lost forever, as a billionaire recently admitted that he is unsure of its current whereabouts. Warren Stephens, the founder of The Alotian Club, revealed that his son was given the ball by Woods himself on the day of the historic victory, but it is now missing.
Despite the potential value of the memorabilia, estimated to be worth millions if auctioned, Stephens, who was present at the Masters in 1997, confessed that he is not certain where the ball is currently located. He mentioned in an interview that the ball may still be somewhere in their house, but he can’t confirm its exact location.
Tiger Woods-related items have fetched significant sums at auctions in recent years. For instance, a set of irons used by Woods during his dominant 2000-2001 period was sold for a staggering £3.9million ($5.15m). Even a piece of the scoreboard from Woods’ first PGA Tour start went for £53,000 ($69k), highlighting the high demand for his memorabilia.
While Woods has faced challenges due to injuries sustained in a car crash in 2021, his popularity remains strong among fans. Notably, Harry Kane, the English football captain, shared a story about playing golf with Woods during a holiday in the Bahamas. Despite initially being unaware of Woods’ presence, Kane eventually joined the golf legend for a round and even played another round the next morning.
The allure of Tiger Woods, both on and off the golf course, continues to captivate fans and collectors alike. As the search for the missing 1997 Masters winning ball continues, the story serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of one of golf’s greatest players and the priceless value of sports memorabilia associated with his illustrious career.