Tiger Woods made history in 1997 when he won the Masters by a record-setting 12 shots, with a four-round total of 18 under par. The memorabilia from this event, such as his “Tiger Slam” irons and Scotty Cameron putter, have fetched millions of dollars in recent years. One piece of memorabilia that holds significant value is the golf ball Woods used for his final strokes before signing for a Sunday 69 at Augusta National. Warren Stephens, son of then-Augusta National chairman Jackson T. Stephens, revealed that Woods gave this ball to his son after winning the Masters, and the family still has it somewhere in their house.
The ball that Tiger Woods gave to 9-year-old fan Julien Nexsen on the 5th hole during the final round of the 1997 Masters was sold for over $60,000 at an auction. This Titleist Professional ball had the word “Tiger” stamped on it and is believed to be one of the only confirmed golf balls from Woods’ historic victory. It is speculated that unless Woods or his caddie intentionally saved a ball from that final round, the ball given to Nexsen may be the only one in existence. However, Warren Stephens’ son also received a ball from Woods after his victory, suggesting that there may be more memorabilia out there from that significant day.
The value of Tiger Woods’ memorabilia has skyrocketed in recent years, with collectors and fans willing to pay top dollar for items connected to his major victories. The significance of Woods’ win at the 1997 Masters, his first major championship, adds to the allure of any memorabilia from that event. The story of Warren Stephens’ son receiving the ball from Woods adds a personal touch to the history of that momentous day, and the fact that they still have it in their possession increases its value.
The hunt for rare Tiger Woods memorabilia continues, with collectors and fans eager to get their hands on pieces connected to his legendary career. The mystery of where the ball given to Warren Stephens’ son is currently located adds to the intrigue surrounding this piece of golf history. Whether it resurfaces for sale in the future remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the demand for Tiger Woods memorabilia remains high, and items connected to his record-setting victories will always hold significant value in the world of sports collectibles.
