The day I met Tiger

I know. It's been more than two years since my last post. Plenty has happened since then (I finally made a hole in one in August), but for now I am posting this to preserve my account of what is still, a surreal day.

About two weeks ago, I made a trip to Tokyo, Japan for a much needed break and the plan was to squeeze in two days at the Zozo Championship, Japan's first ever PGA tour event played at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba. 

So I ended up buying tickets for the practice round on 22nd October and day 1 of the tournament on 24th October. 

The weather on Tuesday wasn't great. It was raining, wet and cold. Plus it was really crowded.

Have to hand it to the Japanese fans. In spite of the weather, they turned up in droves on a Tuesday morning.

Speaking of crowds, it was totally packed inside the merchandise tent. People were grabbing stuff like it was free and the queue.. oh the snaking never ending queue. 

Managed to grab some souvenirs but was very peeved that the pin flags were sold out by 10am... was very unimpressed. 

It wasn't all gloom though as I managed to catch Charles Howell III who kindly signed a photo of him and me during a rain delay at the CIMB Classic in 2017. Such a nice guy. 

"Thanks for your help!" talk about personalized

We left in the afternoon and as luck would have it, my friend asked if I would be interested to head to the course during the pro-am the next day. Does a bear shit in the woods!? Needless to say I jumped at the opportunity. 

I woke up really early on Wednesday morning and reached the Harajuku JR station shortly before 6.00am. Then it was a journey to the Keisei Narita station, nearly two hours away. 

The day was chilly at first (14 degrees as I recall) but along the way, the sun was making an appearance and it was turning out to be a 'perfect weather kind of day'. 

Then it was a short taxi ride to my next destination. Fast forward to 8.30am and who do I bump into? Mark Steinberg. I mean what's the big deal right? he's only like Tiger's super agent. 

After that it was off to the golf course. I should mention that my friend got me an all access pass, which would explain why I was able to enter the course during the pro-am. Pro - am days are usually closed to the public so there are much less people on the course. You couldn't buy the pass even if you wanted to. I mean, you probably could but it would cost you both arms and a leg.

Beats a golden ticket any day

Did I mention the weather was fantastic?

Stark contrast from the wet and gloomy day during Tuesday's practice round. A number of players were out on the course playing the pro-am as was a certain Mr. McIlroy. 

That in itself was very cool, but I was looking for Tiger's flight and after making a few inquiries, I chanced upon the tee times meant for the media and I tracked them down. Making my way through the course, I eventually spotted the flight walking up the 17th hole. 

I had only ever seen Tiger in action on screen prior to this moment, so it was starting to get surreal.

There he was, Tiger Woods, the comeback king, the pro on the precipice of tying Sam Snead's record of 82 PGA tour wins, the G-O-A-T. 

I had with me the Masters 2019 pin flag and was hoping to get Tiger's autograph. So there I was by the 17th green, flag in hand, ready.

As he was walking to the 18th tee, I called out asking if he would sign my flag. 

"After we're done. Promise" He says, gesturing towards the 18th hole. My first interaction with Tiger.  

I was a little disheartened but it would take more than that to discourage me. So, I followed his group for the rest of the round and after he finished on the 18th, officials whisked him away to one of the VIP tents. Tiger's autograph was proving elusive. 

But I did meet Joe, his caddie and told him it was awesome to meet him.

Asked for a wefie of course but pardon my unflattering look. 

Undeterred, I waited along with a bunch of others at what appeared to be the exit of the VIP tent. But somehow, I was convinced Tiger wouldn't be there. 

I will spare the details and cut to the chase. Eventually I ended up at the driving range, where Joe was with Tiger's bag. I mean if Joe was there, certainly Tiger would eventually come. 

A couple of players (including Jordan Spieth) were hitting balls at the somewhat empty range. I was hanging about near the grand stand when Joe spotted me. I guess he must have remembered me asking for a wefie a while ago, cause he waved (which was pretty cool) and I decided to approach.

"Hey Joe, is Tiger coming to the range by any chance?" I ask in hope.

"Yea, he's coming. Just wait a couple of minutes. He will be here." he says with a smile.

I thank him and retreat. 

So there I was on the range, excited and in anticipation. 

"This is it.", I thought to myself. I kill time by watching the action on the range, but found myself constantly looking the other direction, checking to see if Tiger was coming. 

That's Joe (in maroon) in the background and me trying to keep it together. Notice the TW cap?

Some 10 minutes go by and I eventually catch a glimpse of a buggy coming from a distance. I look closer. It's Tiger! 

I scamper to the path leading to the range and wait for the buggy to come through. A short moment later, the buggy stops to drop him off and Tiger sees me as he alights. This was my fanboy moment. What do I say??

"Hi Tiger." I greeted, heart beat racing. 

"Hi there." he responds casually.

"I am sorry to bother you, but can I please have your autograph?" I ask with the masters flag and black sharpie in my shaking hands. 

"Sure thing." he replies.

I hold the flag out as he nears. I am almost in a daze. 

"No problem, I have got it." Tiger says as he reaches for the flag and sharpie in my hands. "I am a huge fan." I manage to say. 

I couldn't believe it. I was talking to Tiger and he was going to sign my flag. Somehow, I managed to remember "Photo! Wefie!" and even had time to figure out where the sun was. 

We were both walking towards Joe at that point and I quickly moved to the other side when Tiger hands me back the flag. "Here you go." he says.

"Thank you Tiger. Can I also trouble you for a quick photo?" I was conscious of the time.

"Sure thing." He replies and we both stop. 

"Thank you so much Tiger. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome." He says, as he continues to walk. 

"I flew to Japan just to watch you play. All the best." I add. He turns around and I give him a thumbs up.

"Thanks for the support." He replied with a smile and walked on. 

O.M.G

Imagine if you will that there were no cameras, no minders, no officials or other fans. In that short time, I was alone with the greatest golfer of my generation, got his autograph and snapped a wefie with him. The whole exchange was probably just a minute or two but never in my life did I think I would have the chance to meet him.

I was still processing what had just happened and was gazing at his signature on the masters flag, when a japanese couple who were passing by, gestured at it and said "すごい" (sugoi) which means, great. They weren't wrong. 

The rest as they say, was gravy. I carefully kept the flag away in my bag and then spent the next 20 minutes watching Tiger, hitting balls, up close. Say What!?    

I was basically just 8-10 feet away.

I know what you're thinking. 

Eventually he made his way to the practice green and I too, left the range.

As the sun was setting, I eventually made my way back to Tokyo and we concluded the night with a delicious kaiten sushi meal in Shinjuku. 

So satisfied was I that I decided to skip day 1 on Thursday. Truth be told, I wasn't quite keen to squeeze with the thousands of other spectators. (Some 17 thousand spectators attended on day 1 and 20 thousand people on Sunday - Yikes!) 

Plus, as it turned out, the wait for the shuttle bus from the nearest train station to the course was a crazy 50 minutes... (started out at 20 minutes). I applaud the Japanese golf fans. They are seriously passionate.

So while I wasn't there to see Tiger claim his 82nd win, I got to meet the GOAT in person and that will remain a highlight for the rest of my golfing life. 

Thank you Tiger!