This is The Most Influential Sports Illustrated Cover of All Time… Here is Why.
This picture was taken of tiger woods at the 2001 PGA Masters tournament by photographer Fred Vuich. The picture perfectly captures the popularity surrounding Tiger Woods at the time, and the unique backstory makes the photo even better. Fred Vuich tells the story of how he ended up perfectly behind tiger as he teed off of the 18th and final hole of the tournament in an interview with Golf Digest. He started on the green of the 16th hole and watched tiger land his tee shot just a few feet from the hole. He became excited as he realized he was in the perfect position to capture tiger sinking his birdie putt which would ultimately lock up a masters win for the golfer phenom. Vuich watched as tiger hit his putt and thought to himself that he had just captured Tigers winning moment and the perfect shot for the Sports Illustrated cover. To Vuich’s and the rest of the crowd’s surprise, the ball stopped short of the hole. Keeping the Masters still a close match and Vuich without his shot, Vuich knew he had to make something happen fast. So, with just two holes left he ran to the 18th hole tee box for his final attempt. To his surprise he found himself on an empty stand behind the tee box, right behind tiger and a sea of spectators as Tiger hits his final Drive in his Masters Win.
I found this cover very unique and due to not only the incredible backstory, but the picture it paints, and the headline “Masterpiece” is perfect. The shot of Tiger’s backswing with the swarming crowd watching gives the viewer the feeling of being an anxious crowd member holding their breath in a moment that must have felt like an eternity, which is now frozen in a timeless picture. In more than one way Fred Vuich’s photograph is a “masterpiece” and is the most influential Sports Illustrated cover of all time.
