Playing golf next to your idol is a dream for many. Fortunately for Justin Thomas, he has earned this opportunity by playing alongside or even competing against the all-time great, Tiger Woods. The two PGA Tour stars may be great friends currently, but long before their friendship, Thomas was just a kid who looked up to Woods. Let’s take a look at their first encounter when JT waited eagerly just to get a view of the 15-time Major winner.

Tiger has always developed a great bond with fellow golfers. Being in the sport for nearly 25 years, even the kids who once idolized him have gained a chance to compete against him. Nonetheless, his relationship with Justin Thomas is much more special.

Woods once described JT as the little brother he never had. With so much love and respect among the golfing greats, let’s take a look back at the first time when Thomas got the opportunity to see his idol up close and also earned a memorable gift through a smart move.

How Justin Thomas managed to receive a Tiger Woods played golf ball?

Years before his two Major wins, Thomas was still on the road to turning pro. During one of his junior event outings at Torrey Pines, Woods happened to be a visitor to play golf. JT, who was eight years old at the time, thought way beyond his age. Tiger Woods has been the face of Nike golf for all his career.

Similar to his loyalty to Nike, Justin Thomas has been associated with Titleist even during his junior tournament days. As Tiger arrived at the Torrey Pines, a young JT had a Titleist cap on. Woods’ caddie at the time, Steve Williams, was standing next to an 8-year-old Justin Thomas.

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However, the two-time Major winner then made a smart move to earn a played golf ball of the Hall of Famer. Thomas said, “I was standing right next to Stevie (Williams) caddying at the time for Tiger and I think if I take this Titleist hat off, I have a chance of getting a ball. If I have this hat on, I probably won’t get one”.

The 28-year-old decided to take his hat off to receive the ball. As fortunately for him, it worked out perfectly. “Stevie looked at me, reached in the bag, gave it to me and walked away and I put my hat back on”. The current PGA Tour star revealed it was his first time encountering his then-future friend.

“Believe it or not, that was my first face to face with him”, he ended. Despite the 17-year age difference, both men share a great brotherhood. Now competing against each other in the seventh edition of ‘The Match’, it will be exciting to see who comes out on top.

What do you think about the sweet story between Tiger and Justin? Let us know in the comments section below.

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