‘Can’t believe I just did that’: The day rising Aussie star Karl Vilips snubbed Tiger Woods
It’s not every day golf legend Tiger Woods calls, let alone a young gun Aussie who just broke through for his first win. Karl Vilips reveals how he brushed the great ahead of an Australian Open alongside Rory McIlroy.
An hour or two after draining a six-foot birdie putt on 18 to claim the Puerto Rico Open in March, Aussie golfer Karl Vilips was scrolling through his phone, casting his eyes over the influx of messages and calls he’d received.
There were dozens, if not more.
After all, the then 23-year-old was celebrating his first win in just his fourth career start, a feat he achieved in a new tournament record of 26 under par.
Amoung the congratulations streaming into his phone from friends and family came a text message from an unknown number.
He didn’t think much of it.
The same number rang as well, but Vilips sent it to voicemail.
It was only later when he realised it wasn’t just any random number trying to get in touch.
“It’s Tiger,” the voicemail began.
Gulp.
Tiger Woods – as in his idol, and the greatest golfer to ever swing a nine iron – was calling to congratulate Vilips on becoming the first rookie to win in 2025.
And he’d blanked him.
“Processing the win and everything that was happening at the time with all the media and everything, I got a bunch of calls and the one from that number, I just sent it to voicemail,” said Vilips as he prepares to play alongside Rory McIlroy this week in the most keenly anticipated Australian Open ever.
“I was on my way to the clubhouse when I actually looked at the text and was like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe I just did that.
“I sent him a text back because I was too nervous to call him. I wouldn’t even have known what to say, so I took an hour to draft up a two sentence text message.
“It was a very funny moment, a special moment and a highlight of the week for me.”
Rest assured there was no bad blood, especially as Vilips had only recently been unveiled as the very first ambassador for Woods’ Sun Day Red clothing label.
Being specifically chosen by Woods to represent the new line is still a pinch me moment.
“Being involved with Sun Day Red and being involved with the person I looked up to playing golf is pretty special,” Vilips says. “They were looking for someone who was going to be on Tour, and Tiger seemed like I’d be a really good fit.
“I was very honoured to be that choice from him personally and it’s been a great partnership ever since.”
Woods was well into his career when Vilips was born in 2001, but the Aussie – affectionately known as ‘Koala Karl’ – says the American’s 2008 US Open win at Torrey Pines and his unlikely win at The Masters in 2019 are highlights.
“I had that photo of him celebrating that Masters win on my computer for years, it was just such an inspirational moment,” he says. “Just to be able to come back from everything he went through and win that tournament with that level of play and that competition.
“The best memories I have of him are from when he came back from his injuries in 2018, ’19 and ’20 and was still competing with the best.”
It’s a win that took on even greater significance after Vilips suffered a back injury of his own 12 months ago.
“I was sitting around twiddling my thumbs for a couple of months, and definitely looked back on moments like that,” Vilips says. “It’s hard to find the positives, but I do remember watching Tiger’s highlights, and they’re so motivating.
“It definitely helped me through that, and I mean, Tiger went through much worse, but it did help.”
It has been, in his own words, “a whirlwind” 12 months for Vilips.
After being named Rookie of the Year on the secondary Korn Ferry Tour in 2024, he earned his PGA Tour card, won in Puerto Rico and competed at some of the biggest tournaments in golf, including The Players and PGA Championships.
There will be even more whirlwind moments this week as he tees up in an Australian Open field that includes Masters champions McIlroy, Adam Scott and Danny Willett as well as Cam Smith, Marc Leishman and fellow West Australian Min Woo Lee.
“I think tickets are already sold out for the weekend, which is pretty crazy,” says Vilips, who remains a true blue Aussie despite a thick American twang, having lived Stateside since he was 11.
“It’s one of the strongest fields ever, playing on one of the best courses in the world – if not the best.
“It’s great that Rory wanted to come as well, and I think it makes the tournament even more special.
“I see him at the range at tournaments and I’m always in awe at the way he hits the ball.
“Hopefully this week we’ll get the chance to play together at some point.”
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Originally published as ‘Can’t believe I just did that’: The day rising Aussie star Karl Vilips snubbed Tiger Woods
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