'Golf Liberation Zone' Scottsdale TPC 16th Hole "All-Time Best Hole-in-One Was Woods in 1997"

Tiger Woods cheering after making a hole-in-one on the 16th hole during the third round of the 1997 Phoenix Open. Getty images/Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "An all-time great hole-in-one."

The 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) made an exhilarating ace on the 16th hole (par 3) at Scottsdale TPC (par 71, 7,261 yards) in Arizona during the third round of the 1997 PGA Tour Phoenix Open. From a distance of 152 yards, his 9-iron shot landed on the green, bounced twice, and went straight into the hole. The PGA Tour highlighted the '16th hole hole-in-one' on the night of the 10th (Korean time), placing it first and bringing it back into the spotlight.

This tournament is famously known as the only 'golf liberation zone' in the global golf community. Alcohol is sold throughout the course, and spectators drink beer and make noise, even jeering when shots don't meet their expectations. The 16th hole, in particular, features a massive three-tiered stand that can hold up to 30,000 people, resembling the Roman Colosseum. This creates an intimidating atmosphere for players. Although a 9-iron shot can easily secure a birdie, many careless shots occur.

It is interesting that Woods joined the professional ranks in 1996 and quickly achieved two wins, adding a victory at the Mercedes Championship in January 1997 to reach a total of three wins in no time. At the age of 22, he was already demonstrating the power of the 'next-generation Golf Emperor.' Upon confirming the hole-in-one, he high-fived his caddie Mike Cowan, and the gallery went wild, throwing beer cans. He finished tied for 18th, making it the most memorable tournament he did not win.

The late Jared Lyle (Australia)'s 2011 hole-in-one ranks second. Lyle was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia as a teenager but overcame it and fulfilled his dream of joining the PGA Tour. After his death at age 36 in 2018, his golf bag and cap were displayed on the teeing ground of the 16th hole in 2019. The first-ever robot hole-in-one in golf history, achieved in 2016, ranks third. Eldrick (LDRIC) stands for 'launch directional robot intelligent circuitry.' It is nicknamed the 'Robot Tiger.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.