1997 Masters Low Score Crystal Trophy Vase from Opening Round Won by John Huston

Few of the highly coveted trophies from Tiger Woods' victories reside in a location other than Tiger's own showcase. The Golf Auction proudly presents this stunning Stueben crystal trophy from Tiger's most important and first Masters win - that transformational week of April in 1997. It was a storyline that called for the 21-year-old to overcome an early 3 stroke deficit to first round leader John Huston (-5) to slip the green jacket over his shoulders. It dates to a time before Tiger was Tiger, and Woods found himself three back of Huston in his third try at The Masters Tournament on April 10th. Tiger's 2-under par round result after the strange pairing of a sluggish front nine (40) and a scorching (6-under 30) back. This cherished trophy vase from the 1997 Masters opening round represents a phenomenal piece of golf history and an acquisition opportunity that matches.

Though not a green jacket this prized award and similar ones for a hole-in-one, eagle or double eagle are presented for outstanding feats yearly during the Masters. They are cherished by players and known in short on the Tour as "Master's Crystal." For John Huston this prized Crystal Trophy Vase was earned with the low round among participants during the opening round of 67 (-5) to eventual winner Tiger Woods' 70. Woods would climb to the top of the green and white Augusta National leaderboard with a second round 66, where he stayed for the remainder of the tournament exhibiting pure domination over the field. A signed letter of provenance from John Huston comes with this lot.

Former PGA Tour thoroughbred John Huston's extensive golfing accolades written on a piece of paper rivals that of a grocery shopping list to feed a family of 8 for three weeks. It includes: 7-time PGA Tour winner, former PGA Tour 72-hole scoring record holder of 28-under at the 1998 Hawaiian Open (7 stroke win over Tom Watson), inaugural United States Presidents Cup team member in 1994 and again chosen in 1998, amassing over 80 top-10 PGA Tour finishes, the course record at Jack's Muirfield Village of 61, Masters Tournament 18th hole record of 4-under in 1997 (also low round of the day for that Thursday) and Top 100 on the money list 16 of his first 17 years on tour. Through all of this, Huston's fame was overshadowed by his tour contemporaries with names such as: Tiger, Duval and Mickelson - and that's the way he liked it. While he didn't think of himself as a big deal, he was. United Airlines even gave John and his family free travel for a year after his 1998 Hawaiian Open triumph for the books. Between his collegiate golf at Auburn and the PGA Tour hard work paid off, and was necessary, earning everything that he achieved from mini-tours to The Tour. "I kept working with David (Leadbetter), but working in that bag room (of his home course Cypress Run in Tarpon Springs), seeing the hours you had to put in that was my inspiration," Huston said. When John felt the shot he took it. He was known as the Tour's fastest golfer, noted by analyst Gary McCord. Proudly presented by The Golf Auction is The John Huston Collection, featuring artifacts from Huston's very admirable golfing career.

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