Replica 181 million KRW, Genuine Item Expected Up to 5.85 Billion KRW, Smith's 'Green Jacket' 800 Million KRW, Snead Persimmon Driver 351 Million KRW
A replica of the putter used by Tiger Woods (small photo) was recently sold for 181 million won at Golden Age Auction.
[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] This is a story about golf equipment auctions.
Recently, Golf.com in the United States reported that "Tiger Woods' putter was sold at auction house Golden Age Auction for $155,000 (181 million KRW)." It was a 'Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS' model, and interestingly, it was not an authentic piece. It is anticipated that "a putter actually used could fetch up to $5 million (5.85 billion KRW)." Previously, the 'Green Jacket' of Horton Smith (USA), the inaugural Masters champion in 1934, was sold for $682,000 (800 million KRW).
▲ Woods: "Golf Emperor even in the auction market" = The Titleist 'Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS' is the 'Emperor's Putter' with which Woods won 66 of his 82 PGA Tour victories, including 14 majors, since 1999. The putter sold this time was a replica. It bore Woods' name and had a Ping grip attached. Although rare, such putters occasionally appear at auctions. Last year, a similar putter sold for $88,000 (100 million KRW).
Items related to Woods are virtually all rare collectibles. Golf clubs, balls, carts, and more command prices in the tens of millions of KRW. The ball used when he won the Masters in April 2005 sold for $30,000 (35 million KRW). A golf bag fetched $19,000 (22 million KRW), the golf cart used during the high-profile event 'The Match' against Phil Mickelson (USA) last May sold for $16,500 (19 million KRW), and a pass to a golf course designed by Woods ranges from $14,000 to $17,000 (12 to 17 million KRW).
Playing a round and having lunch with Woods costs $425,000 (500 million KRW). In April 2002, the winning bidder enjoyed the luxury of playing 18 holes at Isleworth Golf Club in Windermere, Florida, near Woods' residence, followed by lunch and commemorative photos. In May 2010, the 'Tiger Slam Iron' auction on eBay made headlines amid authenticity controversies. Woods revealed that "the clubs used during the 2000-2001 major four-win streak are in my warehouse," causing the bidding to be canceled.
▲ Smith's 'Green Jacket', Snead's 'Driver', President Trump's 'Golf Clubs' = The 'Green Jacket' awarded to Masters champions is a regular item on auction sites. Smith's jacket is legendary. Made of Australian wool costing only $250 (290,000 KRW), it soared to $682,000 at auction. After disappearing for decades, it resurfaced with a story of being kept in a relative's closet. Bobby Jones (USA), the founder of the Masters, had his 1937 Green Jacket reach $310,000 (362 million KRW).
The persimmon driver of golf legend Sam Snead (USA) sold for $300,000 (351 million KRW) at a Heritage Auction in October 2014. Snead holds the record for the most PGA Tour wins with 82, including 11 victories in November 1950 alone. A note states, "Bought from Henry Picard in 1936 for $5.25," and "With this driver, he won 2 Masters, 1 Open Championship, 2 PGA Championships, totaling 100 wins worldwide," which is quite interesting.
Memorabilia from famous personalities also commands high prices. Former U.S. President Gerald Ford's golf clubs were sold for $26,000 (30 million KRW) at a 2013 auction held to raise funds for building a 'New Learning Center' at the Ford Museum in Michigan, USA. The golf bag bears Ford's name along with the presidential seal. Former President Donald Trump's full set of TaylorMade irons sold for $30,000 (3.5 million KRW) at an RR Auction in October 2017.
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