Most of us will never what it’s like to receive a call from a global sporting legend.
Aussie golf gun Karl Vilips does. Too bad he shunned it.
That legend was Vilips’ hero Tiger Woods. Several months after letting that call go to voicemail, Vilips is still incredulous.
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The 23-year-old had just broken through for his first ever win on the PGA Tour at the Puerto Rico Open.
Following the victory, Woods had messaged and then tried to call to congratulate Vilips as the Aussie explained ahead of this weekend’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.
“Processing the win and everything that was happening at the time with all the media and everything, I got a bunch of calls and the one from that unknown number, I just sent it to voicemail,” Vilips told CODE Sports.
“I was on my way to the clubhouse when I actually looked at the text and was like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe I just did that’.
“I sent him a text back because I was too nervous to call him … I took an hour to draft up a two sentence text message.
“It was a very funny moment and a highlight of the week for me.”
RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO – MARCH 09: Karl Vilips of Australia celebrates after winning the Puerto Rico Open 2025 at Grand Reserve Golf Club on March 09, 2025 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Kevin C. Cox / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
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It was only just before Vilips’ Puerto Rico Open success that the rising star had become the first ambassador for Sun Day Red.
The clothing label is owned by Woods and named after the legend’s affinity for wearing red on the final day of a tournament.
Vilips, who moved from Australia to the USA as an 11-year-old, attended Woods’ alma mater of Stanford in California and enjoyed a terrific collegiate career, winning the Pac-12 Championship as a senior.
“They were looking for someone who was going to be on Tour, and Tiger seemed like I’d be a really good fit,” Vilips explained.
“I was very honoured to be that choice from him personally.”
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LEGEND OUT TO REALISE AUS OPEN “DREAM”
Adam Scott has dreamt of winning at Royal Melbourne since he was a kid.
For whatever reason, he’s never been given the chance to do so until now.
For the first time during Scott’s career and the first time in 34 years, the Aussie Open will be held at Royal Melbourne.
Scott has won this country’s flagship event before, back in 2009.
He has also represented the international team here in the President’s Cup in 2011 and 2019, but he admits it’ll be a special moment when he tees it up on Thursday on what he calls “one of the greatest courses in the world”.
“There are a lot more options here and that makes it difficult for pros because we have to choose one and the guy who can commit the best this week is probably going to do well,: Scott told reporters on Tuesday morning.
“I remember Radar (Wayne Riley) holing the putt to win (in 1991), watching a Aussie Open down the road at Kingston Heath, Greg Norman winning all of his. These were something you dreamt of doing as a young Aussie kid watching the Aussie Open
“We have had other events here in my career by we haven’t had the Aussie open here so this is a chance for me to step back and remember how it felt as that little kid watching thee great players play on one of the greatest courses in the world.”
Scott’s compatriot Geoff Ogilvy knows Royal Melbourne better than most given he spent several years playing and caddying on this track.
“This is one of the best tournament courses in the world and as soon as you put a golf tournament on here, everyone wants to come,” Ogilvy said.
“It’s probably our best asset in Australia, this golf course, for a tournament. It shows you the magnetism that this place has.
“It’s feeling like it’s back to where it was when I was growing up. I grew up coming to Royal Melbourne watching Australian Opens and it was a really important tournament then.
“It feels like it’s an important tournament this year.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 02: Adam Scott of Australia speaks to the media prior to the Crown Australian Open 2025 at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club on December 02, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
