Super rare Tiger Woods grail may be gone forever as billionaire admits forgetting location

“Tiger Woods’ 1997 Masters Ball Mystery: Is This Priceless Golf Relic Lost Forever?”

 

In a tale that combines the thrill of sports history with the intrigue of an unsolved mystery, a piece of Tiger Woods’ legacy may be lost forever. The golf world is buzzing over the possibility that Woods’ winning ball from his iconic 1997 Masters victory, a true “holy grail” of sports memorabilia, could be missing. And surprisingly, the man responsible for its safekeeping—billionaire Warren Stephens—has admitted that he has no idea where it might be.

 

The ball’s journey began with young Stephens, who witnessed Woods make history by capturing his first major title. As the son of Warren Stephens, who helms the elite Alotian Club and hails from a family deeply connected to Augusta National, the ball’s current status has now left the golf community in suspense.

 

A Billionaire’s Forgotten Treasure?

 

In a recent interview on the Golfer’s Journal podcast, Stephens, now 67, dropped the bombshell revelation. His eldest son, only 11 at the time, had a front-row seat to Woods’ breathtaking win at Augusta National. He was waiting on the 18th hole when Woods finished his last putt, a moment that would etch his name permanently into the annals of golf history. And as fate would have it, the ball Woods used to seal his victory was handed directly to Stephens’ son, either by Woods himself or his caddie, Mike “Fluff” Cowan.

 

Yet, despite the ball’s monumental significance—not to mention its potential auction value in the millions—Stephens admitted he isn’t quite sure where it is. “My oldest son was 11, sitting on 18 when Tiger walked off,” Stephens explained. “Tiger or Fluff gave the ball to him. Now, the million-dollar question is: where is it? I’m not 100 percent sure.”

 

He continued with a hesitant tone, “I think we’ve still got it somewhere… it’s probably in our house somewhere.” For many collectors and Woods’ fans, this uncertainty is almost too much to bear. The prospect that such a unique piece of sports history could be sitting forgotten or misplaced has only added to the item’s mystique.

 

The Value of Woods’ Memorabilia

 

The interest in Tiger Woods’ memorabilia has reached dizzying heights in recent years. Not only is he a beloved figure in the sport, but his equipment and tournament items are considered prime collectibles. For instance, a set of irons he used during the “Tiger Slam” period of 2000–2001 sold for an astonishing $5.15 million, and even a piece of the scoreboard from his very first PGA Tour start fetched $69,000. Given these numbers, Woods’ 1997 Masters ball, should it ever surface, would likely command an even higher price.

 

As for Woods, his influence on the game endures despite the physical toll his body has taken over the years. His last major victory came in 2019, also at the Masters, but he has struggled with health and form ever since, particularly following a 2021 car accident that nearly ended his career. Still, fans’ fascination with Woods has never waned; the allure surrounding both the man and his achievements has only grown.

 

Harry Kane’s Own Tiger Encounter

 

Tiger Woods’ magnetism isn’t limited to collectors and fans—it extends to sports icons across disciplines. One notable fan is England’s own soccer superstar, Harry Kane, who recounted a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Woods on the Rick Shiels Golf Show. Kane shared that during a family vacation to the Bahamas in 2017, he unexpectedly found himself in the presence of his golf hero.

 

The story is almost surreal. Kane, while exploring the island on a golf buggy, bumped into a familiar golf pro, who casually mentioned that he was about to play a round with Woods. To Kane’s disbelief, he was invited to join them. Not wanting to seem overly eager, Kane asked to be messaged about the timing. But as fate would have it, Kane was at a friend’s house with poor cell reception during lunch. By the time he saw the golf pro’s messages, an hour had passed, and Woods was already several holes deep into his round. Undeterred, Kane rushed over and met them on the 15th hole, ultimately playing with Woods and rejoining him the next morning for another round.

 

Kane’s willingness to sacrifice family time underscores just how revered Woods is even among other world-class athletes. Their impromptu game added another layer to Woods’ legend—a player whose presence alone can bring even a Premier League star to abandon all else.

 

Will We Ever See the Ball Again?

 

For those who see Woods as the pinnacle of golf, the idea that his 1997 Masters ball could be lost is nearly unthinkable. The ball isn’t just a relic; it’s a physical piece of sports history, representing the moment Woods first laid claim to the world stage. If it ever does reappear, the value placed on it could easily reach astronomical sums. But until then, the location of Tiger Woods’ 1997 Masters ball remains an enigma—one that might be solved with a lucky find in the Stephens’ household… or that may stay hidden forever, a relic los tin the annals of golf legend.