Golf fans are willing to let their wallets get mauled just to see Tiger.
Tickets to the four days of competition at the Masters have jumped from $2,500 to more than $7,500 since Tiger Woods gave his press conference at the golf event on Monday, ticket resellers said.
“The Tiger Effect has more than tripled prices. People are rolling up with pockets full of cash wanting to see Tiger,” said broker Jimmy Dizoglio, who is legally reselling tickets near Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.
“I’ve had people from Korea, Russia, India, Australia, Britain, Thailand,” he added. “He did a good job at the press conference. Now people are back to liking him.”
Tickets to the Masters cost only $200. But unless you are a friend of an Augusta National member, you can forget about getting that price.
The only way for normal people to get inside is through legal ticket resellers, who are allowed to set up shop outside the grounds.
One man who said he worked for a hedge fund, but wouldn’t give his name, shelled out $6,000 for the tickets.
“Money was no option,” he said. “I just had to see Tiger play. I’ve always wanted to come to the Masters.”