During the final round of the 2024 Masters, golf enthusiasts witnessed a heartwarming exchange between Tiger Woods and the iconic golf broadcaster, Verne Lundquist, beside the 16th green at Augusta National.
Renowned for his four-decade-long career behind the microphone, Lundquist decided to bid farewell to broadcasting at the conclusion of the 2024 tournament. His voice has been synonymous with some of golf’s most memorable moments, including his legendary “in your life” call during Tiger Woods’ incredible chip-in on the 16th green at the 2005 Masters.
Almost two decades later, the duo shared a touching moment on that very same hole. As Woods made his way through his round on Sunday, he took a moment to approach Lundquist, offering a handshake and well wishes for his retirement, which ESPN cameras captured for viewers around the world.
Reflecting on this poignant encounter during an episode of The Steam Room podcast, Lundquist recounted the moment with gratitude. “I ventured down to 16, and he was playing 14 at the time and he was having a horrible day. Five over and wound up dead last in the tournament,” Lundquist shared. “But even though he was five over, he walked off the green at 16, and as he approached, I just said, ‘Tiger, thank you.’ He reached over and shook my hand, and we chatted.”
Lundquist admitted that he couldn’t recall the specifics of their conversation, but he expressed appreciation for Woods’ kind words. “In all candor, I can’t remember what we said, except I thanked him for the kind words that he had, and he said, ‘We’re gonna be tied at the hip forever’ because of that shot and because of what I said.”
What truly touched Lundquist’s heart was Woods’ gesture as he continued his round. “The thing I most treasure about it,” Lundquist continued, “He went over and teed off at 17, I was still standing under the tree. And as he walked down the 17th fairway, he just looked over and gave me a thumbs up. I will treasure that forever.”
Before the tournament began, Woods took a moment to acknowledge Lundquist’s illustrious career, paying tribute to the broadcaster’s iconic call and his ability to captivate audiences. “Yeah, I’ve heard that call a couple of times,” Woods remarked. “He has just an amazing ability to bring in the audience and describe a situation and just be able to narrate it in a way that is poetic but it’s also – he describes it with emotionality.”
Woods went on to express his admiration for Lundquist’s longstanding contribution to the Masters broadcast. “He just draws the audience in. It’s amazing. It’s, I think, his 40th year, I think it is now, 39th, 40th year, to be able to call the Masters. That’s what I grew up watching. I grew up listening to Verne. And he made a nice call there at 16, and it’s one that I’ve been lucky enough to – I will have that memory with Verne for the rest of my life.”
