Tiger Woods: Shot in the Dark, Readers share memories of Tiger Woods’ ‘Shot in the Dark’ at Firestone Country Club in 2000
Tiger Woods: With professional golf returning to Firestone Country Club for this week’s Kaulig Companies Championship, it marks the 25th anniversary of Tiger Woods’ legendary “Shot in the Dark” on the famed South Course.
Playing in near darkness in the final round of the 2000 World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational after a long rain delay, Woods faced an 8-iron approach 168 yards from the pin. His strike landed two feet from the hole, setting up a birdie and an 11-shot victory.
Fans held up burning lighters like they were attending a rock concert as Woods, on his way to an eight-win season and in the midst of the ‘Tiger Slam’ of four consecutive majors, received a loud ovation. The spot in the fairway from where he hit is now marked with a plaque.
Some who were there shared their memories of the famous shot:
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Marshal recalls the “Shot in the Dark” at Firestone
One of my favorite memories as a Marshal. We knew it would be difficult at best to know where golf balls might end up in the landing area on 18 as it grew darker. We could hear a ball hit from the tee box but until I saw a ball rolling and finishing in the first cut, I had no idea it was Tiger’s. As he approached me, he asked if I had seen a ball and I pointed to where it came to rest. He then asked me if I could see the flag. I told him I hadn’t been able to for a while. He mentioned that he thought he could make out the flag from light coming from the TV tower.He looked to his caddy and asked for a good yardage. It was really dark when he lined up to hit his shot and when the ball hit the green lit up like day.What a shot!Glenn DuncanCo-Chief 18th Hole
Standing next to Tiger Woods at Firestone Country Club for the “Shot in the Dark”
My friend and I almost left during the rain delay but went to the clubhouse and got something to eat. When they restarted the tournament we found the majority of people had gone home. We decided to follow Tiger in the fairway as opposed to going up around the green. We were literally right beside him when he hit the shot. Looking in to the green you could not see the flag and you could see lighters people people were holding up but it really didn’t help. The actual lighting that provided some outline and depth perspective came from the lights in the parking lot behind the green. It provided a back drop that coupled with his yardage book allowed him to hit the shot with confidence. It was sloppy and wet around the ball. After he hit the ball he just smiled when the crowd was clapping and yelling. He had no idea how close it was until he got to the green. You could not see any ball flight or the ball hit the green. Bob Price/Ray Mollis
This shot ended up being my biggest miss in sports. When the rain delay hit, I got in my car and left for the day. I was there the year before for Tiger beating Phil Mickelson in 1999. We went in 2001 for the playoff win over Jim Furyk. But 2000 is the year that got away because of the rain.Steve M.
