2 of my favorite moments......
2000—Tiger Woods is the run away winner of the NEC invitational, beginning the 4th round with a 10 shot lead. The only question was would he break the tournament record of 259 for the 4 rounds. As play was going on at just about 4PM, a small but powerful thunderstorm hit the area. Why do I remember that? Cause we didn’t bring any rain gear and got freaking soaked.
Thinking the delay would be a long one, we left. Of course within a mile of the course it was sunny and dry, but the rain kept falling and caused about a 2 and 1/2 hour delay. Under normal circumstances play wouldn’t have finished cause there wasn’t enough daylight left in the late August day(up until 2005 this event was played AFTER the PGA Championship so it was the last week of the month).
All the players who would of not of normally finished decided to play it out no matter what. The issue was decided and frankly everyone wanted to get the hell out of town on Sunday night. What happened afterwards is still replayed in many highlight films. With sunset already past Tiger stands on the 18th fairway and is looking into a crowd(and watching on TV those stands were still full)that lit the backdrop with lighters and cellphones that was reminisent of any closing of a concert. So Tiger takes his second shot and sticks it within 2 feet of the hole, crowd going nuts with him. With camera flashes coming from all directions he finishes things off and ties the 259 record in winning by 12 shots.
The very next year, 2001brought the epic 7 hole playoff between Tiger and Jim Furyk. On the first playoff hole(18)Tiger was in position to win with a par putt as Furyk who put his 2nd in the greenside bunker, couldn’t get out with his third shot. With Tiger set 6 feet for his par, Furyk had to make his shot out of the bunker. Of course he does, sending the crowd(I was sitting in the stands behind that bunker)into a frenzy. Of course with most people staying put no one really knew what was going on when play went to the adjacent 10th then the 17th. I can remember announcements being made and scores put on the scoreboard to let us know what was happening. By the time they played 18 again the playoff reached its 4th hole. By the time it ended, they played 18 a total of 5 times that day with Tiger eventually winning for the 3rd consecutive year.
The other good thing about that year. Because of expected thunderstorms(which never did come)they pushed tee times up and played off of 1 and 10 holes. Even with the playoff, they finished up around 3:30 or so. So I get in my car, go home and watch it again!!!
ping