Tiger Woods Walks Masters Practice Round With Vintage Wilson Staff Putter
Tiger Woods had a Wilson 8802 putter with him for a practice round ahead of The Masters
On Sunday, Tiger Woods arrived at Augusta National to prepare for The Masters, and now details have emerged on the clubs he used during his first practice round.
The 48-year-old will be playing in his first competitive tournament since February’s Genesis Invitational at the Major having been listed in the field last month to end any lingering concerns he may not participate after withdrawing from the Riviera Country Club event through illness.
Woods is looking for his sixth Masters victory, having last claimed the Green Jacket in 2019, and per Golf Digest’s Jamie Kennedy, he used his first practice round to work on his approaches, chips and putts with business associate Rob McNamara and caddie Lance Bennett alongside him.
Woods also didn’t have a bag during the session, but instead was seen using just a small selection of clubs - three wedges, a 9-iron, an 8-iron, his Scotty Cameron putter, and, most intriguingly, a Wilson 8802 blade putter.
Tiger walked the front nine of Augusta on Sunday with his caddie and Rob. No bag, just an handful of clubs to hit approaches, chips and putts.Yes, of course I zoomed in to see what clubs.Three wedges, a 9-iron, 8-iron, his Scotty putter... and a Wilson 8802 blade putter! pic.twitter.com/kM7LXjazDhApril 8, 2024
The latter is a vintage that's considered one of the best putter designs of all time, with the original Arnold Palmer collection effort renamed the 8802 way back in 1963.
It’s highly unlikely Woods will opt to use it during the tournament, having never selected it before in a competitive event, let alone one as prestigious as The Masters. So, why has he opted for it in the build-up to the 2024 event?
Woods has long been known to use the putter when practising, and he told NBC Sports in 2020 why that is, explaining: “I really do practice with my 8802 probably the most because I like feeling that toe release and I like putting with my right hand. That’s basically my training aid, and then I went to a longer putter to get more reps in.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Four years on and it appears that hasn’t changed, while the sight of Woods concentrating mainly on his putting and wedge game before The Masters is also nothing unusual.
The putter certainly has pedigree at The Masters, with Ben Crenshaw, who is regarded as one of the best putters of all time, winning his two titles using it, including in 1984, which was helped by a 60-foot birdie putt on the 10th using the trusty putter he named “Little Ben.”
As for Woods, it’s highly likely that, come the opening round, he will opt for the other putter he had with him during his practice session, the iconic Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2. After all, that has an impressive history, too, and he has used it in all but one of his 15 Major victories.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Scotty Cameron Unveils Game-Changing Face Insert On New Studio Style Putter Collection
How new technology and the refinement of timeless head shapes has led to the creation of the Scotty Cameron Studio Style putter range
By Sam De'Ath Published
-
Hitting Chips Fat Is The One Golf Shot You Have to Get Rid Of. Here's How...
There are a number of frustrating shots in this game, but this one can leave golfers in a rage. Say goodbye to chunky chips
By Michael Weston Published
-
Which LIV Golfers Are Qualified For The 2025 Masters?
We take a look at the LIV Golf stars who have qualified for the 2025 Masters at Augusta National
By Paul Higham Published
-
Meet The 5 Amateurs In The Masters 2025 Field
Five amateurs have qualified to play at Augusta National in The Masters this year - find out how they did it ahead of the first Major of 2025...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Masters Field 2025: Who Is Playing At Augusta National?
Take a look at the how the field is shaping up for the 2025 Masters along with the qualifying cirteria in operation for Augusta National
By Paul Higham Published
-
Home Of The Masters 'In Spectacular Condition' Just Months After Hurricane Helene Damage - Fred Ridley
The Masters chairman, Fred Ridley shared a positive update on the state of Augusta National Golf Club following damage by Hurricane Helene last year
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Joaquin Niemann And Nicolai Hojgaard Accept Masters Invites
The LIV player has received an invite for the second year in a row while Nicolai Hojgaard will join twin brother Rasmus at Augusta for the first time in April...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Fresh Drone Images Show Progress Of Augusta National Clean-Up Operation Following Hurricane Helene
Per photos via Eureka Earth on X, several holes at Augusta National appear very different to normal after damage to the course caused by Hurricane Helene
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion Confirms He Will Give Up Major Starts In Favor Of Immediate DP World Tour Chance
China's Wenyi Ding confirmed he will be leaving college and giving up starts at The Masters and The Open Championship in favor of immediately starting his pro career
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'A Lot Of Damage' To Augusta National But Masters Expected To Be Held As Planned
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley says The Masters will be staged on time despite extensive damage to the course caused by Hurricane Helene
By Paul Higham Published