Stephen Curry
Getty
The Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry has not played since January 30.
Stephen Curry’s heartfelt message to Tiger Woods ahead of the TGL Final quickly became one of the defining moments.
It links two championship careers through a familiar phrase: “prove it.” Stephen Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, reached out to Tiger Woods before his competitive return, reminding him of a 2015 phone call that helped fuel Golden State’s first title run of the modern era.
The exchange came as Curry remains sidelined for the Warriors due to a lingering knee injury, while Woods was preparing to play for Jupiter Links Golf Club in the TGL Final. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently outlined that Curry’s return timeline remains cautious, with medical staff guiding each step and no immediate rush as the team eyes the play-in tournament.
“Just to jog your memory … you told me to prove it,” Curry said during the call, referencing Woods’ advice during the 2015 playoffs. Woods responded, “I like that … right back in my face.”
The moment carried added relevance as Woods returned to action after a long injury layoff, while Curry continues working toward his own comeback late in the NBA season.
Stephen Curry & Tiger Woods Revisit 2015 Golden State Warriors Title Run
Stephen Curry
GettyGolden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry
Curry’s message drew directly from a defining stretch in his career. During the 2015 NBA Playoffs, Woods called him unexpectedly as Golden State trailed Memphis in the second round. The message was brief but impactful.
Curry recalled that Woods ended the conversation with a simple challenge: prove it.
That moment helped spark a turnaround. The Warriors went on to win the 2015 championship, the first of four titles in a seven-year span, establishing a modern NBA dynasty.
Ahead of the TGL Final, Curry mirrored that same message back to Woods.
The exchange flipped their roles. This time, Curry was the one offering encouragement, tying his own championship experience to Woods’ latest comeback attempt.
It also added context to the TGL Final, which already carried attention due to Woods’ return after Achilles and back surgeries.
Los Angeles Golf Club Dominate Jupiter Links Golf Club in TGL Final
Tiger Woods
GettyTiger Woods
Despite the pre-match motivation, the result did not follow the script.
Los Angeles Golf Club defeated Jupiter Links decisively in the TGL Final. The contest began competitively, with Jupiter Links narrowly losing Match 1 by a 6-5 margin.
However, Match 2 quickly turned one-sided. Los Angeles controlled play and secured a 9-2 win, finishing with three straight eagles to seal the title.
Tiger Woods returned to action after more than a year away but struggled to find consistency. He showed flashes, including a strong long-distance shot, but missed a short putt that shifted momentum.
The final also highlighted TGL’s unique format, co-founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy, designed to attract new audiences with a tech-driven environment.
Woods said the rhythm felt different compared to traditional golf, noting the stop-start nature of play. He added that, “Feels fine physically,” but acknowledged that the lack of competition showed at times.
Los Angeles, led by Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Sahith Theegala, proved sharper throughout, closing out a dominant championship performance.