Offered here is a golf ball that we are simply shocked still exists - an actual golf ball from 16 year old Tiger Woods' PGA Tour debut at the 1992 Los Angeles Open at Riviera.

Our consignor Byron "Dana" Lindstrom, was a longtime PGA tournament official, and worked as Tiger's security detail on that fateful day in 1992. Tournament Director Greg McLaughlin (who later worked at Tiger Woods Foundation and then CEO of the World Golf Hall of Fame) wisely thought the 16 year old local kid and his mother might need some additional help in Tiger's first pro event. Lindstrom walked with Tiger and Kultida Woods all day, even getting Tiger some Tylenol during the round - which they humorously obtained an official ruling about - not knowing whether any rule prohibited it!

Lindstrom obtained this Titleist Tour 100 ball immediately after Tiger's 1st round. Years later, Lindstrom himself became Tournament Director for the 2001 Los Angeles Open. Since he maintained a warm professional relationship with Tiger over the years, he reminded Tiger about the debut golf ball and asked whether he would sign the back of the shadow box it was now housed in, which Tiger graciously did.

Fast forward years later, and 1992 LA Open Tournament Director Greg McLaughlin was now the CEO of the World Golf Hall of Fame. In their preparation for Tiger's induction into the Hall of Fame, the debut golf ball was secured on loan, where it was proudly displayed in Tiger's locker during his induction and for a couple years after. 

The ball contains a substantial amount of provenance. It was also signed by Tiger Woods, which he purportedly did after the first round in February 1992. We showed the ball to both JSA and PSA, which declined to sign off on 16 year old Tiger's autograph on the ball. PSA was only able to authenticate Tiger's autograph on the back of the shadowbox. Regardless, the ball itself is the star. The fact that a debut golf ball from Tiger Woods first PGA Tour event even exists at all is a remarkable discovery. Tiger Woods tournament used golf balls are incredibly rare, and last November, a Tiger Woods hole-in-one ball sold for $186,000 at auction. 

The ball is housed in an 8 5/8" x 10 1/8" shadowbox frame, where it has lived since shortly after the 1992 Nissan LA Open. The reverse of the shadowbox is autographed by Tiger Woods. 

ADDITION: During this auction, we received additional information. The Golf Channel's Ryan Lavner wrote about Tiger Woods' induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022, and reported "Woods' only sentimental item is a signed ball from the 1992 L.A. Open, his first PGA Tour start."

A substantial amount of provenance accompanies the Tiger Woods debut golf ball:

-Declaration of Byron "Dana" Lindstrom - Tiger's 1992 Security Detail and 2001 LA Open Tournament Director
-Digital photo of Byron "Dana" Lindstrom walking alongside Tiger during 1992 Nissan LA Open
-World Golf Hall of Fame Loan Document for Tiger Woods Debut Golf Ball
-Numerous Photographs of Tiger Woods Debut Golf Ball in Tiger's WGHOF Locker
-Letter of Authenticity from PSA as to Tiger Woods autograph on Back of Frame