LOOK: Tiger, golf stars hit the greens with Kobe tribute
KOBE MARKER. Tiger Woods plays a shot from the 8th tee where a special tee marker is being used remembering Kobe Bryant. Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images
MANILA, Philippines – The world’s top golfers paid tribute to Kobe Bryant, but perhaps none more magical when Tiger Woods coincidentally hit his first putt of the week from 24 feet and 8 inches – the jersey numbers of the late NBA great – for an eagle at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club in Southern California.
"I didn't know about the putt being that long,” Woods told the Golf Channel. (READ: Tiger still struggling to get to grips with Kobe's death)
"Very ironic that it happened to have those numbers on those holes and those exact measurements,” added Woods, who used to be neighbors with Bryant just outside Los Angeles before relocating to Florida.
World No.1 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland honored Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna and 7 others, with customized Lakers head covers on his woods.
American Brooks Koepka, ranked No. 2 in the world, also wore golf shoes and brought club head covers commemorating the five-time NBA champion
Top 5 player Justin Thomas sported a detailed Kobe art on his pair of golf shoes.
"No matter what we do, I think for a while we're going to always remember Kobe and what he meant, especially here in SoCal and the entire sports world," said Woods.
Tiger’s Kobe tribute.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 14, 2020
Brooks' "cute" bomb.
Rory’s eagles.
It’s all in The Takeaway. pic.twitter.com/SnCnl3Yqcw
MAMBA BAG. The golf bag of Rory McIlroy features special head covers for his metal woods and putter as tribute to Kobe Bryant. Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images
SHOE ART. A detail of the shoes worn by Justin Thomas honors former NBA star Kobe Bryant. Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP
PURPLE AND GOLD. Other details of Justin Thomas' shoes features Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers 8 and 24 and his 'Mamba Mentality' catchphrase. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images/AFP
NO. 8. Austin Johnson, caddie of American golfer Dustin Johnson, holds the 8th green flag honoring former NBA star Kobe Bryant. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images/AFP
LAKESHOW. Brooks Koepka honors Kobe Bryant with club head covers in Lakers jersey colors. Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP
COLORWAY. Brooks Koepka lines up a putt wearing golf shoes featuring the Lakers' purple and gold. Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images/AFP
– Rappler.com
