Those facts have long since been forgotten. But the indelible images remain — Woods crouched and backpedaling, spiking his black cap to the turf, a quick, double-fisted uppercut to the crowd, followed by an embrace with the other King, Arnold Palmer.

This week, as Woods returns to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, seeking his first victory since June knee surgery, people — even his victims — have fond memories of Woods’ signature celebrations.

“You’ve got a player who’s won 70-odd golf tournaments, 14 majors, the passion he still has, how bad he wants that to happen, I mean, it’s ridiculous,” said Rocco Mediate, last year’s runner-up to Woods at the U.S. Open. “I think the [celebration] at Bay Hill was actually cooler, with the hat and everything, Arnold sitting up there. It was just better.”

So what are Woods’ most memorable hole-outs? Here’s a list:

1994 U.S. Amateur » At the infamous island 17th green at the TPC at Sawgrass, Woods, wearing khaki shorts and a Panama hat, sinks a 20-foot birdie putt from the fringe, fist-pumping his way to a 1-up victory over Trip Kuehne in his first Amateur title.

1997 FBR Open » Woods hole-in-one on the par-three 16th helped make this hole famous. Woods’ shot flew straight into the hole, thrilling the rowdy thousands who make an annual pilgrimage to Scottsdale to drink, sun and yell.

1997 Masters » Woods puts the exclamation point on his first major victory, dropping a short putt on the 72nd hole, then delivering an across-the-torso single uppercut, immortalized immediately in a Nike commercial. As he comes off the green, the first African American to win a major golf championship, Woods embraces his father, Earl, and the two share an extended, sobbing bear hug.


2000 Pebble Beach » On his way to overcoming a seven-stroke deficit on the final seven holes, Woods hits at wedge from 97 yards out on No. 15. The ball lands four feet right of the pin, but spins sideways into the hole for an eagle that Woods celebrates with a fist pump and a high-five.


2005 Masters » In the final round at No. 16, Woods chips up a hill, the ball tracks sideways toward the pin and — in the greatest unpaid golf ball advertisement in history — the Nike swoosh is visible as the ball hangs on the lip, then finally drops. Woods does a Mike Tyson double-uppercut, followed by a screaming high-five with caddie Steve Williams.

2006 British Open » After making a short putt on the final hole, Woods  does a half-hearted uppercut, then buries his face in Williams’ shoulder, sobbing. It was his 11th major championship, but first without his father, Earl, who died two months earlier.


2008 U.S. Open » In the final-round, Woods 14-foot birdie putt to tie on the 72nd hole, trundles over the bumpy poa annua green at Torrey Pines, scoots into the high side of the hole, and Woods celebrates with a fist-pumping limbo dance to the sky.