We have heard all about fans asking Tiger Woods for autographs and pictures, but this week it was the turn of Marcus Armitage, one of the players, to ask the 14 time Major champion for his signature and a photo.
Arriving at Emirates Golf Club on Tuesday morning as a reserve for this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Armitage was choosing his spot on a very busy range when he saw Graeme Storm vacating the position next to Woods.
The Englishman, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour in 2016, did not mess about when he saw his chance to meet the man he jointly credits as being the reason for why he first started playing golf.
When a player asks Tiger for an autograph on the range... 🖋️ pic.twitter.com/l4aXbvst0k
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 31, 2017
While the 41 year old was going through his paces having just got off a long flight from his native America, Armitage got his driver out of the bag, and even noticed Woods sneaking a quick glance at his swing.
“There was no reason for me to be nervous next to Tiger – he’s just a human at the end of the day,” he said. "It’s not like I play off 18 or 20 and I’m scared of hitting the backs of his legs or something. He actually watched a few of the drives that I hit as well – I just caught him having a glance, but I was smashing it to be fair…”
As well as getting some autographs Armitage also used his opportunity with Woods to discuss the Challenge Tour, with the two-time Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner keen to learn more about the Tour that has given the likes of Henrik Stenson and Martin Kaymer a platform to build their successful careers.
“I asked him about the Web.com Tour and the guys that come through there,” he said. “Then he was asking about the Challenge Tour and how many people come up from there, and he asked about what events I’d get into.
“He was very genuine and good to chat to. He’s the reason I started playing golf and it’s the benefit of getting to one of my goals, which is to be here on the European Tour.
“I went to the Open Championship as a kid and watched him at Muirfield in 2002 back in the day, and it was great to see him here.”
Grown up watching this magician and today he asked me for the pic 😂😂😂😂@TaylorMadeTour @HowleyGC @WilsonGolf @IgniteSports08 @TitleistEurope pic.twitter.com/ZoKAkLryvJ
— marcus armitage (@marcusarmitage1) January 30, 2017
"That was when golf caught my eye and when I started thinking it would be a cool game to play. It’s what inspired me so to meet both of those guys this week has been fantastic.”
The bulldog thought it was a chocolate coin 😂😂😂@JustinRose99 @IgniteSports08 @TaylorMadeTour @WilsonGolf @Titleist @druhbelts @EuropeanTour pic.twitter.com/DzhEGUGmaG
— marcus armitage (@marcusarmitage1) December 7, 2016
“Everyone thinks there’s a big myth about these stars, but like I say they’re just normal guys who like playing golf. They just happen to very, very good at it.”
Armitage is a man who is taking all of his new surroundings in and embracing them, and he certainly isn’t a shy character, but as he explains, it is all a good learning process.
“I didn’t get in this week but just to turn up and meet guys like Tiger, Rory and Stenson is great,” he said. “Even if you’re not in the event it’s great just to spend time here practising, which helps you get a feel for the tournament and the stage, so hopefully when I do come back next year with a stronger category I’ll know what it’s all about and what to expect.”
