Tiger Woods couldn’t contain his excitement after Tom Kim’s ace -Credit:Megan Briggs/TGL/TGL via Getty Images
(Megan Briggs/TGL/TGL via Getty Images)
Tiger Woods couldn’t contain his excitement as Tom Kim delivered a moment of pure magic, draining a clutch ace that propelled Jupiter Links into the TGL playoffs.
Trailing 6–5 at the 14th hole, Jupiter Links seized control in dramatic fashion. The hammer was thrown before the tee shot, and Kim responded with a stunning ace that flipped the match to 7–6 with just one hole remaining. Riding the surge of momentum, Jupiter held off the Bay on 15 to secure the victory.
A clip shared by TGL captured the moment Woods erupted in celebration after Kim drilled a dramatic hole-in-one. The video quickly drew reactions online, with fans and commentators highlighting Woods’ rare, unrestrained enthusiasm. It comes after Jack Nicklaus offered a blunt verdict on Wood’s breaking a major record.
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When asked where this moment ranked for Woods, he replied: “Best indoor experience ever.”
It may not be a head-to-head duel between Rory McIlroy and Woods who is unlikely to compete, though he noted, “Well, I’ll be here either way”. McIlroy’s team is set to face Woods’ squad in a semifinal showdown in two weeks, setting up a marquee clash between two of golf’s biggest names.
Woods, 50, continues to inch closer to a return to professional golf as he recovers from the seventh back surgery of his career. The 15-time major champion fueled speculation about a comeback last month with a brief, two-word tease regarding the Masters Tournament in April.
Still, suiting up for Jupiter Links GC in Tuesday’s regular-season finale against The Bay GC was always going to be unlikely.
It gives Woods just over a month to determine whether he will compete at Augusta. Regardless of that decision, he is expected to attend the traditional Champions Dinner at Augusta National Golf Club.
In an interview with CBS last month, Woods acknowledged that his most recent back surgery presented significant challenges.
Although he has been medically cleared to chip and putt, Woods emphasized that he will continue taking a cautious, incremental approach to ensure his recovery remains on track and avoids any setbacks.
“Well, the disc replacement has been one thing,” said Woods. “It’s been a challenge to — I’ve had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it’s challenging.
“And now I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and has us thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart.
“That’s something that, as I said, I won’t do out here on this tour because I don’t believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, that’s certainly that opportunity.”