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What happened when Tiger Woods took on a golf challenge with Ellen (throwback)

US golfer Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. With a whopping 82 wins, he is tied for the highest number of PGA Tour titles with Sam Snead. The World Golf Hall of Fame inductee is ranked second in the most major tournament wins. He can easily be considered the poster boy of golf.

Watching world-class athletes get out of their usual habitats and get candid on talk shows is always fun. One memorable episode was when Tiger Woods appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’ The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2012.

Ellen gave Woods a golf challenge where both had to hit golf balls through five marked blue circles on a green curtain. The goal was for them to shoot three combined balls through the holes. If they achieved their goal, the audience would get a present.

Ellen went first and missed the mark as she swung the ball inches away from the top right hole. Woods took out his driver and went next. He nicely hit through the middle hole. However, the most significant moment of the challenge was yet to come.

As the crowd cheered, Ellen changed her putter and nervously approached the golf ball. And to everyone’s utter surprise, she shot through and through the top right hole in a brilliant stroke.

Ellen looked happily shocked as an elated Tiger Woods gave her a high-five. The live audience had already gone crazy as they stood on their feet to offer Ellen a standing ovation. Woods and Ellen’s combined efforts reaped two total successful hits and left only one more to shoot through the hole. Ellen told Woods:

“One more for you!”

Woods looked happy with what had just happened, and as the audience took their seats waiting for Woods’ turn, Ellen excitedly told him:

“I shocked myself.”

As Woods took his position, he still didn’t seem to be over Ellen’s swing as he made the audience laugh when he said:

“That was so cool.”

Tiger Woods did well in his turn and hit a good shot through the middle hole. Ellen and the audience were thrilled as the viewers again gave a standing ovation. As promised, Ellen gave all of them a video game.


Online viewers love the golf challenge between Tiger Woods and Ellen DeGeneres

Tiger Woods at The 150th Open - Day Two (Image via Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Coming to Ellen’s big moment, one user commented that they were afraid that she would accidentally let go of her club.

“About halfway through, when Ellen was getting ready for her second shot, I started to get afraid that she would accidentally let go of her club and hit someone in the audience in the head with it.”

Another user commended the technique Ellen presented.

“Look at that experience Ellen exhibited. She positioned her body over it, the wrapping of her hands around the shaft while controlling the head, leading to the upward direction of the balls and resulting in a picture perfect finish. Nice job.”

One user noted how Ellen took every fun challenge seriously.

“When it comes to competition Ellen turns to a professional.”

The appreciation flowed in—no wonder the golf challenge became such a memorable segment.


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