Tiger Woods
Professional Golfer, 15-time Major Champion, and Hall of Famer · Professional Golf - PGA Tour
PGA Tour / Nike / TGR Design
Era
Circa 2000-2010 (Peak Fame Period)
Item Type
PGA Tour Course Pin Flag
Condition
Excellent; the item is professionally framed with custom matting. The signature appears dark with no visible fading, and the flag shows minor wrinkling common with fabric.
Rarity
Moderately rare signature style; Tiger is a prolific signer but his authentication is strictly controlled by Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA). Non-UDA items are viewed with extreme caution.
Overall Assessment
A visually striking display piece that requires formal authentication due to the high volume of Tiger forgeries in the market and the atypical choice of a TPC Deere Run flag.
Authenticity Assessment
Questionable - requires professional authentication. While the signature mimics Tiger's 'long' form from his peak years, the flow exhibits signs of hesitation (shaky letter formation) and the placement on a TPC Deere Run item is unusual as he rarely played there.
Signature Style
Stylized full name; vertical 'T' formation with a sweeping cross-stroke and a looping 'W' that trails into an undulating line.
Signature Characteristics
Vertical orientation of the 'T', wide spacing, and a consistent baseline. The trailing edge of the 's' in Woods usually tapers off naturally without a hard stop.
Ink & Medium
Black felt-tip marker (likely Sharpie) on a white synthetic fabric pin flag.
Item Description
Official silk-screened pin flag from TPC Deere Run, featuring the TPC logo and course name. TPC Deere Run is the permanent home of the John Deere Classic.
Estimated Value
$400 - $1,200 (Highly dependent on authentication status; unauthenticated Tiger items on non-major tour flags often struggle to reach top-tier pricing).
Comparison to Known Examples
The signature follows the structure of verified 2000s examples but appears slightly more 'compressed' and shaky compared to high-velocity tournament-signed flags.
Authentication Tips
Look for the characteristic 'T' and 'W' connection. Authentic examples feature a fast, fluid motion. Stiff, slow-moving strokes are indicates of forgeries. Check for a UDA hologram, which is the gold standard for Tiger autographs.
Certification Recommendation
JSA (James Spence Authentication) or PSA/DNA are recommended for golf memorabilia.
Red Flags
Tiger Woods famously skipped the John Deere Classic (played at TPC Deere Run) for almost his entire career, preferring to prep for the British Open. The lack of a UDA hologram is a significant concern for a Tiger item of this scale.
Provenance Notes
Essential to determine how this was obtained; 'in-person' provenance at a different event would be required to explain why Tiger signed a John Deere Classic flag.
Historical Context
Tiger Woods redefined golf in the late 90s/early 2000s. A signed flag represents the 'Tiger Slam' era of dominance.
Market Trends
Tiger Woods autograph values remain stable and high, especially for items related to his Major wins or iconic courses like Augusta National.
Investment Potential
Moderate to High; authentic Tiger Woods memorabilia is a cornerstone of sports collecting, though items on generic course flags have less growth potential than Major championship flags.
Similar Autographs
Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson.
Display & Preservation
The current frame appears to have UV-protective glass, which is necessary to prevent the black ink from turning brown or fading over time. Keep away from direct sunlight.
Interesting Facts
Tiger has an exclusive contract with Upper Deck; he rarely signs flags that do not have their serial-numbered hologram unless they were signed very early in his career or in specific charity settings.