Tiger Woods was pranked by ex-girlfriend with baby squirrel who stole the show at Presidents Cup
It’s not often that Tiger Woods is outshone on the golf course, but during the 2013 Presidents Cup, a small, furry rodent managed to steal the spotlight. The unusual moment unfolded at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, where Woods and the U.S. team were competing against an International team that included stars like Ernie…
It’s not often that Tiger Woods is outshone on the golf course, but during the 2013 Presidents Cup, a small, furry rodent managed to steal the spotlight.
The unusual moment unfolded at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, where Woods and the U.S. team were competing against an International team that included stars like Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel, and then world No. 2, Adam Scott. As the opening day’s play neared its conclusion, the U.S. team gathered near the 18th green to watch the final match between Jordan Spieth, Steve Stricker, Els, and Brendon de Jonge.
Amid the gathering of U.S. players, their wives, and girlfriends, one unexpected guest made an appearance—Sammy the squirrel.
Davis Love III, the U.S. captain’s assistant, discovered the squirrel on the second hole and, worried it might be trampled by the crowd, picked it up and fed it. Throughout the day, the squirrel became the U.S. team’s unofficial mascot, with Love keeping it in his pocket, saying it was a lucky charm. He explained, “My dad always told me to keep anything that brought good luck as long as we were winning holes.”
Nicki Stricker, Steve Stricker’s wife, gave the squirrel its name—Sammy—though no one was quite sure of its gender. The squirrel remained relatively hidden until a playful moment near the end of the day, when Lindsey Vonn, then dating Woods, reached into Love’s pocket and coaxed Sammy out, ready to take center stage.
