Stephen Ames never saw it coming. Waiting on the first tee before the final round, Ames was fiddling with his bag with his back to Tiger Woods. Woods walked right up to him and called his name.
Ames turned around to find Woods right in his face. The handshake was strong and so was the Tiger stare.
"Good luck," Woods said.
Ames took several practice swings a long iron but then switched to a fairway wood. Nerves and indecision already?
The announcer called the gladiators to the arena. It felt like the start of a boxing match.
"From Isleworth, Florida, the 1999, 2000 and 2006 PGA champion, Tiger Woods." Cue huge roars from the packed bleacher. Whack, a long iron straight down the middle. Par.
"From Canada, Stephen Ames." Cue the kind of polite applause reserved for retiring bank clerks. Splat, fairway wood left into the trees. Bogey.
It was Groundhog Day for Woods and his playing partner.
"It's over, Ames," yelled a voice from the crowd as Ames went in search of his tee shot. It was rude and unsportsmanlike. But he had a point.
