Unfortunately for golf fans everywhere, Tiger Woods is not in person at the 2026 Players Championship. While he could be back in action next month at the MastersTiger will be at TPC Sawgrass in spirit during Saturday’s third roundthanks to a special tribute planned by PGA Tour.
The tribute has two parts and is designed to commemorate Tiger’s greatest moment in The Players Championship, and, perhaps, the most indelible Players shot in history. And it’s hidden underground on the Stadium Course’s most iconic hole: the island’s 17th green.
Here’s what you need to know.
Saturday marks the 25th anniversary of Tiger’s ‘Better Than Most’ putt
Saturday at this year’s Players is the 25th anniversary of one of Tiger’s most watched moments. It happened at the 2001 Players Championship.
That week, Woods was in the midst of perhaps the most dominant golf ever played. He had won the last three competitions in 2000 (from WIDER borders at Pebble Beach AND St. Andrewsno less), and a month later he would complete it “Tiger Slam” with his victory at the 2001 Masters.
At that point, the 25-year-old Tiger was the youngest career Grand Slam winner in history, but he had not won a Players Championship. That was about to change.
;)
The Inside Story of How Tiger Woods ‘Better Than Most!’ free throw was made
James Colgan
Woods overcame a two-shot deficit with a last-round 67 to win his first Players title by one shot.
But that victory might never have come if it weren’t for some heroics at the end of Woods’ third round that year.
On the island’s par-3 green 17th hole on Saturday, Woods’ tee shot sailed too long, ending up on the back neck. Fortunately, it was dry. Unfortunately, his ball landed about 60 yards from the hole, with multiple downhill breaks between it and the cup.
Before Woods attempted his putt, NBC’s Gary Koch said fellow TV analyst Johnny Miller“Johnny, I’ve seen a number of players putt from the back of this green, and the results haven’t been good.”
Next exchange of transmitters will live forever in the memories of golf fans.
As Tiger’s ball began to move toward the hole, Miller said, “Gary, how does it look?”
To which Koch replied, “Johnny, that’s better than most.”
“What about inside?” Miller screamed as Tiger’s ball smashed hard toward the cup.
And then, as Woods’ putt dropped for an incredible, tournament-changing birdie, Koch repeated:
“Better than most, better than most!”
2-Part Players Championship Tribute to Tiger Woods Saturday
It’s the moment organizers for this year’s Players Championship are planning to commemorate, as reported by the Golf Channel on their social media accounts. And there are two aspects to that commemoration.
First, the pin on the 17th green will be the same pin position that Woods put in in the third round of the 2001 Players. It’s a tough one that should draw a lot of water balls from competitors: five steps to the front and five steps to the left.
