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Well,
I'm back again for another exciting installment of my experience at
the Memorial Tournament. It was my second chace to see Tiger and I was very excited...to say the least. My dad surprised me with tickets a couple weeks before the big day and I was so excited to hear the Tiger accepted the invitation to play in the tournament. Just like last year, I woke up bright and early but hey, it was the The Man so I was NOT even about to complain. This year there was one huge difference: there was not a single drop of rain on our trip to Muirfield Village and the great weather conditions endured throughout the day. The run-ins with Tiger started from the very beginning this year. Almost as soon as I arrived at Muirfield Village, decked out in my I AM TIGER WOODS t-shirt, I was lucky enough to see Mr. Tiger practicing away on the putting green. Even though I'd already seen him a year ago, I was still shocked, crazed, and frozen in place. Then, while I was staring as Tiger from behind the ropes, he looked up and caught my glance and locked eyes with me. I know it was me because I wasn't standing by too many other people at that point. I, who usually NEVER shuts my mouth for a second, could not even regain enough sense and composure to wave back. But the look I received from Tiger was enough. And then I was within less than arm's length when Tiger walked by me on his way out of the green. After that I went over to watch Tiger at the range, doing what he does best: drive. I was ready for Tiger's round to begin, already wound up from my close encounters and sightings of The Man. On almost every hole from 1-18, I stood at the edge of the green so that Tiger would have to walk right by me on his way to the next hole. Each time, he would be within less than arm's length from me and I realized that as soon as he would look at me I would actually stop breathing. I also yelled out a couple "way to go, TIGERs!" at selected holes. And I relived last year's dream on the bridge at the tenth. Fluff was so close that he almost rubbed up against me and Tiger almost did too. On three fairways he made eye contact with me again, and once again I was the only person in my area so I know it was me. When Tiger's round sadly (for me) had to come to a close I attempted to get his autograph. Though I didn't get Tiger's, I did get Fluff's, and that is pretty cool in itself- Tiger's right hand man, I can handle that! After Tiger had finished speaking with the media, I went over to wait for him outside the clubhouse, and for once only one or two other people were there. Tiger came outside soon after, but I understood that he couldn't start signing autographs or he'd probably still be there now! But I did see him get into a car, turn on the radio (rap and R&B, what a great guy!), and drive off. He drove the car himself, which my dad and I thought was pretty cool. On our way to the car, we passed by Fluff. I was pretty excited to run into him. I said "Hey Fluff!" and he looked at me and said "Howdy!" I thought that was pretty neat. Although Tiger had a fairly mediochre third round, I was more than entertained. I didn't even notice the almost 90 degree heat or the fact that my dad and I probably walked more than five miles all in all. So on May 30th, 1998, I returned home around 6:30 a little hungry, a lot sunburned, even more tired, but with a whole lot of memories that will last me for years. Once again, I saw Tiger and he saw me, and it was perfect. Read about my experience last year, here! |
