Tommy Fleetwood to Tiger Woods: "Have you EVER played golf before?"
Tommy Fleetwood and five other PGA Tour players joined Tiger Woods to take on the Hero Shot ahead of the Hero World Challenge in Albany, but Woods struggled at the fun event.
When Tiger Woods announced his participation in the Hero World Challenge on November 9, he also confirmed that Tommy Fleetwood and Kevin Kisner would join him in the 20-man field.
Although Woods has since withdrawn from the event after developing plantar fasciitis in his right foot, he competed in the pre-tournament Hero Shot event which took place on Tuesday.
Each player was tasked with finding a target about 87 yards away and they scored points based on the proximity of their shots to the hole. Each player opened with six shots.
However, Woods didn't quite set the standard as at least five of his six shots found the water (the camera didn't show the result of the first shot). After the fourth shot found the lake, Fleetwood couldn't hold on to his surprise.
"Have you played golf before, Tiger?!" The Englishman said which bought a smile from the 15-time major champion and a loud laugh from the excitable Tom Kim.
87-yard closest-to-the-pin challenge!@TigerWoods and other stars compete in the Hero Shot from The Bahamas. https://t.co/821rStCX5Q
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 29, 2022
Fleetwood didn't exactly set the challenge alight either. The Nedbank Golf Challenge winner only found the target twice with four balls finding the water or the boat behind the target.
Perhaps Woods' disappointing wedge play was an indication of where his game and physical capability stand right now. The 46-year-old still intends on playing in The Match on December 10 and the PNC Championship which begins on December 15.
Woods was eliminated in the early stage of this challenge which took place between the 9th and 18th greens of Albany Golf Club. Kim reached the final of the event but was beaten by Matt Fitzpatrick.
The US Open champion raised the roof when he slam-dunked his ball in the centre of the target, causing a huge splash and even bigger scenes on the tee box with Woods, Fleetwood, Kim, Billy Horschel, Max Homa and Justin Thomas watching on.
The first round of the unofficial PGA Tour event begins today as the players aim to end 2022 in style. Viktor Hovland is the defending champion this week after scoring a victory 12 months ago.
