PGA TOUR photographers pick their best shots of 2024

I had a hunch that Tiger might show up early to Pinehurst to get in a rep before U.S. Open week. I was packing up when he showed up for a 5:00pm twilight round with his “swing coach” in tow. I mostly shot video that afternoon, but I’m glad I switched to photo to get this golden hour ball toss between him and Charlie. There are countless moments that come to mind in my 11 years at the TOUR, but walking the empty front nine of a historic venue with Tiger and 10 other people, the uninterrupted sound of his tee shots echoing through the trees, was a top-five moment.

It’s been a thrill to document Scottie Scheffler come into his own this year, wearing his emotions on his sleeve while also embracing fatherhood. I sensed the momentum at the Olympic men’s golf competition shifting to Scheffler on the 17th hole and stayed lock-step with him from there to the range after wrapping up play. I was lucky enough to capture his winning moment and also this special moment as he celebrated his victory with his family. Bennett has had to sleep through his fair share of roars and given his dad’s game, may have his naps interrupted yet again in 2025.

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I had to cheat here to show the difference between having the hot hand in May and losing steam in June. At Quail Hollow: Non-zoom lens? Check. Out of position? Check. I did not envision Rory McIlroy going full sprint after winning and I’m glad I was able to get one picture as he zoomed by. He had plenty of momentum going into the U.S. Open and while the week started off with a bang, it unfortunately ended on a muted note here on the 72nd hole. I’ve been there for many of McIlroy’s TOUR wins, but I’ve never photographed him hoisting a major trophy, and here’s hoping he finds one in his hands again soon. This missed putt has haunted me as well. Rors, onward.

I was there when Xander Schauffele carded his first PGA TOUR victory and it felt fitting to be there for his first major victory as he battled a hard-charging field on the back nine at Valhalla. Glad his caddie Austin came in for the airplane to get the generally stoic X-Man to smile this big.

For the 50th edition of THE PLAYERS Championship, I went deep into the archives to replicate photos from the early years of the tournament and to show the glow-up of the course. The cherry on top was being able to capture the Golden Bear, the first PLAYERS champion, still smiling during an interview all these years later.

I thought it was cool to watch a popular Northern Irishman win in Scotland in 2023. Then, I got to watch a Scot win in Scotland, and that was entirely something else. I set up facing the grandstand on the final hole hoping for this scene and fortunately Robert MacIntyre, Big Shot Bob, made the putt to win his country’s Open and sent fans into a tizzy.

Seeing one of the most popular players out here get THIS fired up for making a putt on the final hole simply to make the cut on the number was unexpected. Max Homa himself referred to this as an “out-of-body” moment and this photo truly shows it. Sorry that you can’t unsee it now, though.

For Tiger Woods’ first return to Royal Troon in 20 years, I found some 2004 gems from our friends at Getty Images and set out to recreate them during the first round. His logos may be different now, but Tiger has the same style, mannerisms and fire in him that he brought to Royal Troon in 2004.

Hideki Matsuyama and Shigeki Maruyama forever! I’ve been photographing Matsuyama since 2014 and I can unequivocally say I’ve never seen him have as much fun on a golf course as when Maruyama is around. They carried this same energy into the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal and here’s hoping this squad is reunited again in the near future.

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I cheated again but it felt wrong not to include two pictures here to show the highs and lows of match play at the Presidents Cup. In the top frame, Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim are airborne as they celebrate their 4&3 victory during Saturday morning’s matches, the lone point in the morning session for the team. In the bottom frame, they are subdued as Patrick Cantlay seals a 1-up victory for his squad, setting the tone for his team’s victory on Sunday.

I told myself that I’d limit this to 10 submissions, but I had to include one bonus sunset, right? Chasing the sun on a golf course never gets old for me, even when the July sun sets past 10pm across the pond. That is, when you see the sun; I had all but given up on clear skies on this moody weather day but I poked my head out one more time and was not disappointed. Naturally, the Scottish sun did not come out again the rest of the week.

Paradise from above. We start our PGA TOUR Champions season in Hawaii, and there is no shortage of beautiful scenery. The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai is such a beautiful property, and capturing drone images of the course is a favorite way to kick off the year. Hoping for some whales to swim through one of these years!

The Handshake. I was in the boardroom for the signing of the agreement between the PGA TOUR and the Strategic Sports Group. Commissioner Monahan and John Henry closed out the meeting with the handshake that sealed the deal.

Scottie Scheffler's return to TPC Sawgrass. Scheffler visits TPC Sawgrass for the first time since winning the 2023 PLAYERS Championship. He had a full schedule and I really loved this quiet moment of downtime in the clubhouse lobby where Ted Scott’s caddie bib and Scheffler’s scorecards are on display.

The 17th from above. Not long ago, the only way to get images like this were to rent a helicopter, or to fly in the MetLife airship. Now as a licensed drone pilot, I’m able to put a camera in the air at just the right time to capture the essence of the 16th and 17th holes with big crowds at TPC Sawgrass during THE PLAYERS.

Jack Nicklaus’s last Masters. I’m always appreciative of any time I get to spend with Nicklaus. He has always been incredibly gracious in allowing me into his world over the years. This portrait was taken at his home in south Florida. I asked him to pose with a photo I took at the 2005 Masters where due to weather delays, he finished his second and final round on the ninth hole instead of the 18th.

The FedExCup in NYC. I got to spend a day photographing the FedExCup at several locations around 30 Rock this summer. I’m a huge fan of Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show, and it was really cool check out the set while the theater was empty.

Bonjour, Paris! Scottie Scheffler arrives at Le Golf National. He would leave with the gold medal, but I love his look of optimism as the week began.

Hey, it’s Katy! The Olympics are so fun because you never know what other athletes may show up at your venue to cheer on friends. Team USA olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky visits Le Golf National to surprise and support former Stanford classmate Albane Valenzuela of Team Switzerland.

The Ring. Every time we play the Presidents Cup, we do formal team photos. Every year until this, we have done them in a ballroom with total control of the lighting and location. In Montreal it was decided to photograph the teams in front of the giant ring across the street from the host hotel. Shooting in an outdoor location (Canada in autumn) where lighting was challenging and crowd control was a factor, was really stressful. It was a solid team effort, and we made it work. The results were definitely worth it.

Prime time. I’ve been fortunate to meet and photograph several world leaders over my career. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the honorary chairman of the Presidents Cup in Royal Montreal. I was able to spend a little time with him and Commissioner Jay Monahan before the closing ceremony. Away from the crowds, its always cool to see two guys just chatting about golf.

“Hello World.” We had Tiger Woods in our new studio facility in November. He was watching highlights from his career and commenting about different moments. As someone who’s been along for the ride since the beginning, I thought this was such a powerful moment as he looked back at where it all began.

One of the things I appreciate, that I feel is under the radar to the general public is the charity aspect of the PGA TOUR. It was great to be able to photograph Collin Morikawa as he volunteered at the Pu'u Kukuior Hua Momona Farms in Maui, the year after Lahaina’s devastating fires.

It was my first time at the Sony Open in Hawaii and was beyond thrilled to see Grayson Murray have a break through win! You could tell it meant so much, as he let out the raw emotion.

Fun to catch moments happening around the golfers during the tournament. This little one, dressed with the tartan theme, gets excited while watching the action at RBC Heritage.

It is amazing to be able to photograph little family moments with these athletes within the field of their environment. Here, Scottie Scheffler is met by his wife Meredith and son Bennett after winning the TOUR Championship.

Xander Schauffele lighting up his signature cigar after he and his team were victorious in Montreal, Canada, for the 2024 Presidents Cup.

Grant Thornton ambassador Rickie Fowler, at a promo shoot a few months after being on dad-duty at home during the fall season.

Fun little moment with Grant Thornton ambassadors Tony Finau and LPGA’s Nelly Korda during a promo shoot. I don’t take it for granted being able to see these athletes in all their elements of emotion, but it’s really great to see them with their guard let down a little.

Behind the scenes with Tony Finau who is an ambassador for Grant Thornton.

Being a lifelong golfer and golf fan, I am thrilled to always be a part of anything in the women’s game. It was amazing to be able to document how excited Sandra Palmer was during the 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction.

This is another moment or event that is really amazing to see and be a part of, the joy these players experience with their family when they finally accomplish a dream of making it to the PGA TOUR. Here, Kevin Roy has fun with his daughter and his new PGA TOUR card in French Lick, Indiana.