It has come to our attention that a young Eldrick Woods, who would grow up to become the most dominant golfer in history, owes much of his early success to an Orange, CA-based golf club refinisher named Bill Orr. Tiger wasn't the only golf icon Orr worked with. Starting in the 1970s his family business repair shop had persimmon woods and laminated clubs from the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer come through its doors for tune-ups and repair jobs. Earl Woods and his phenom offspring would drive over from their nearby home in Orange County to the shop on a monthly basis, entrusting Bill with reshaping the tools that would make Tiger a living legend. Over the course of many adolescent and teenaged years, a close friendship developed.
In our last auction, we sold one of Tiger's earliest signed photographs done at age 14 and gifted to the late Mr. Orr. Here's another super early autographed photo from young Eldrick personalized to his trusted club fitter. The last one was a 9x12-inch shot of Tiger's backswing (sold for $3,586). This one is slightly larger at 11" by 14" with Woods in almost the exact same pose, just a few tenths of a second longer into his follow through. The inscription at the top reads, "To Bill, My first swing in the '92 L.A. Open - Tiger Woods" in bold 9-10/10 black marker.
Now, Tiger calling it his "first swing" is very significant. He made his PGA Tour debut as a 16-year-old amateur at the 1992 Nissan Los Angeles Open at Riviera Country Club (now known as the Genesis Open). So, this photo actually captures his first ever PGA Tour swing on the morning of February 27, 1992, when he hit his driver off the first tee. Woods would shoot 72 in his opening round and 75 in the second round, but missed the cut (Fred Couples won it).
The photo comes in raw form and is ready for a custom matte and frame job from the lucky winning bidder. It has a minor issue at the top left where the Kodak photographic paper has rubbed out one of the patrons standing in the background. Other than that, it presents in fine shape. This is one of the most significant Tiger signed pieces of memorabilia from the beginning of his storied career.
Includes full LOA from PSA/DNA (AH12884) for the autograph and inscription in Tiger's hand.