The best shot of the Masters was a photograph.
Tiger Woods didn’t have a great run in 2024 at Augusta, finishing at 16 over par and completely losing pace in the final two rounds.
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But Woods knows his golf history and one of the greatest players of all time went out of his way to pay tribute to outgoing announcer Verne Lundquist.
Literally.
As Woods played the 16th hole Sunday at Augusta, Lundquist sat in a folding chair and watched from nearby.
Lundquist had recalled some of Woods’ most iconic moments at the Masters and wanted to get one last glimpse of the five-time Masters champion in person.
As Woods finished his final round, a photo started going viral on social media.
The image initially appeared to be of Woods shaking hands…with a large pine tree – and fans were quick to turn the iconic golfer into a meme.
One joked: “A lot of people make fun of this, but it took a lot of courage for this tree to walk up to his hero Tiger Woods and shake his hand.”
Another said: “Me when I plant it and the tree knocks me over in the fairway.”
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Upon closer inspection, it became clear that Woods was shaking Lundquist’s hand, warmly thanking one of America’s most famous sports broadcasters.
“A man with magic in his hands, watched by a man with magic in his voice,” said one presenter.
“What a great photo,” one fan tweeted.
“End of an era,” posted a second fan.
“GOAT of golf. GOAT of golf broadcasting,” a third fan said.
Lundquist, 83, has made many of golf’s famous shots in recent decades, including Woods’ famous chip in 2005 and Jack Nicklaus’ putt in 1986.
Woods was asked about the iconic call of his most legendary shot at Augusta before the tournament and said: “I’ve heard it many times!
“He has an incredible ability to draw an audience in and tell it in a poetic way.”
