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‘Instant bedlam’ – Tiger Woods shook clubhouse and beers went flying after famous ace at Phoenix Open’s iconic 16th hole

"Fore, please. Now driving, Tiger Woods. Prepare to go nuts."

In just a couple of months, golf fans will be transported to the tranquillity of Augusta National, a peaceful safe haven for the sport's etiquette.

This is nothing like AugustaCredit: Getty
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Think you get nervous playing golf? Try hitting this shotCredit: Getty

But this week, we have the antithetical WM Phoenix Open, golf's answer to the Old Firm derby between Scottish football rivals Rangers and Celtic.

Crowds of more than 200,000 turn up each day to watch the most bonkers week on the PGA Tour - but only 20,000 seats interest them.

They surround the iconic 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, a 163-yard par three, otherwise known as the loudest place in golf.

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While mobile phones and running are forbidden at Augusta, boisterous chanting and the smell of beer fill the air in Arizona.

The tiniest distraction is enough for the top players to pull out of a shot, but here they actively encourage mayhem on the backswing.

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There was no stadium back in 1997 and Woods won't be there this week - but he still owns the most deafening moment in the 16th hole's history.

As with most iconic Woods moments - the 'better-than-most' putt, the 'oh-my-goodness' chip - it's preceded by a now-famous line: 'They're gonna go nuts when he hits this thing'.

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His playing partner, Omar Uresti, just struck one to within three feet, but Tiger goes and aces it in front of 15,000 wild fans.

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Pints go flying as if England had just scored in a major tournament, Woods starts trying to break everyone's hand with some questionable high-fiving, and then he throws a classic nineties move.

Woods recalled his celebration, saying: "I missed Omar, or was it Rusty? Omar? I missed his hand.

who was playing in the group two holes ahead of Woods and Uresti.

He explained to ESPN in 2022: "The roar was unlike anything I've ever heard. The ground literally shook.

"It was the loudest roar I've ever heard in sports."

talkSPORT 2 will have live commentary of all four days of the 2025 WM Phoenix Open as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy look to recreate Wood's iconic moment.

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