Tiger Woods hits an 'open' fan with one of his golf balls at the 2024 Masters
CMC Masters

Tiger Woods hits an ‘open’ fan with one of his golf balls at the 2024 Masters



Tiger Woods was wrapping up his Tuesday practice round at Augusta National Golf Club on the eve of the 2024 Masters, finishing up on the par-4 ninth hole -- as has become a Woods tradition.

Of course, the patrons were gathered around the green, looking to catch a glimpse of the five-time green jacket winner. As Woods went up to mark his ball and get ready to putt on the green, there was a hush over the crowd. Well, most of the crowd was quiet.

A fan named Matt Agonis wasn't quiet, and he got rewarded for it. In an interview with WSB, Agonis explained that he just felt the urge to shout out to Woods to see if he could get his attention as he was getting ready to walk off the green.

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"Tiger, I'm open!" he yelled Woods' way.

The video shows Woods, wearing his Sun Day Red apparel, picking up on what was shouted at him, and then he smirks in delight as what Agonis yelled. Seconds later, Woods turned to his left and threw his golf ball in Agonis' general direction. Fortunately, Agonis managed to catch the ball and snag it from the other surprised Augusta National patrons who suddenly had an opportunity to take home a ball used by Tiger Woods at the home of the Masters.

"There was everyone around me, but I don't really know, I just jumped up (and caught it)," he explained.

Agonis said this isn't something he would typically do at a sporting event, but it created a stir in the crowd and among Woods, Justin Thomas and Fred Couples, who played the practice round together.

"He throws a fast one," Agonis said. "My hand was throbbing for a little bit."

But it was all worth it in the end. Agonis said he plans to get a special case to showcase the ball in his home -- and he hopes someday to run into Woods again and have him sign it.

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Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is currently a +2.6 USGA handicap, and he has covered dozens of major championships and professional golf tournaments. He likes writing about golf and making it more accessible by answering the complex questions fans have about the pro game or who want to understand how to play golf better.

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