The clubs Tiger Woods used during his ‘Tiger Slam’ between 2000 and 2001 have sold for an eye-watering £4 million ($5.1 million) at auction. The set was used by Woods as he won four consecutive major titles just over 20 years ago, and sold for the mammoth price over the weekend.
The historic set was listed by Golden Age Auctions, and was initially predicted to exceed the ‘one-million dollar mark’. However, the sale has more than exceeded the auction’s expectations and is predicted to be the most expensive piece of golf memorabilia in history.
The set includes Woods’ two iron through to the pitching wedge, as well as his 56 and 58 wedges that are both stamped with ‘TIGER’ on the club head. The winning bidder is reported to be American-based, and saw off competition from the States, Europe and Asia.
The auction initially opened on March 23 before coming to an end on Saturday, while Woods was competing at Augusta. Woods had been absent from the PGA Tour for some time due to injuries sustained in a high-speed car crash last February.
Following the accident many believed that the golfing icon’s stellar career may have been over due to the severe injuries he had sustained. Woods himself later revealed that amputation of one of his legs was ‘on the table’ when he was admitted to hospital.
Fourteen months, and a gruelling rehabilitation later, though, the 15-time major champion made a fairytale return at the Masters. Woods battled his way through the opening two days to make the cut, and ensure his return to action would be a full-four day outing.
The 82-time PGA Tour winner rolled back the years throughout the week, showing glimpses of his scintillating prime with a number of incredible moments in front of the Augusta faithful. The tough conditions and the effects of his time away did begin to take its toll over the weekend, however the American’s legacy and heroic return was well recognised as he was emotionally applauded up the 72nd hole on Sunday.
Following his superhuman efforts in Georgia, Woods said: “It’s been a tough road and, one I’m very thankful to have had the opportunity to be able to grind through it.“ A lot of different things could have happened, but 14 months, I’m able to tee it up and play the Masters. I don’t think people really understand.
“The people who are close to me understand, they’ve seen it. Some of the players who are close to me have seen it and have seen some of the pictures and the things that I have had to endure and they appreciate it probably more than anyone else because they know what it takes to do this out here at this level.”
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While it is unknown when Woods will make his next outing, he did confirm that he would make a return to this year’s Open Championship in July. St. Andrews will host the event, a place the American described as ‘his favourite golf course ever’ having won twice there - and once with his recently sold ‘Tiger Slam’ iron set back in 2000.
