USA: GOLF - Madame Tussauds unveils wax figure of golfer Tiger Woods.

He might not have as many major PGA victories as his flesh and blood double, but a wax figure of golfer Tiger Woods unveiled by Madame Tussauds wax museum in New York on Thursday (September 21, 2006) has the same focused look in his eyes. The wax figure shows the champion golfer in a crouching position, carefully eyeing a put. The work was completed recently and is being launched just as the real Tiger Woods begins his play as part of the United States Ryder Cup team. Tiger Woods is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time with 12 major victories, second only to Jack Nicklaus who has 18. Woods recently won the Masters and the PGA Championship, and in addition was named PGA Player of the Year. Stacy Shuster, Director of Marketing for Madame Tussauds explained why they decided to immortalize Woods in wax. "Well Tiger Woods is a tremendous inspiration to golfers, fans, human beings, all alike. Our guests have requested him and we couldn't wait to give them a chance to get on the green with Tiger," said Shuster. Shuster says Woods didn't pose for the wax cast but they based it on hundreds of photographs. Asked if Tiger Woods approved of the wax double, Shuster says they sent him a letter saying they were going to make a wax figure of him and they have not heard anything back, so they assume he has no problem with it. The figure is displayed on a putting green that allows visitors to put along the Woods figure, surely a dream scenario for many weekend golfers. "When we bring in figures to Madame Tussauds New York, we do not just bring in the figures, we give our guests to do and see and feel the things that the celebrities do. So we obviously needed to give our guests a chance to put with Tiger. You can crouch down, you can get advice from Tiger and then put yourself in front of a gallery of people who are cheering you on," said Shuster. Guests can putt on three different holes, pose for a photo with Tiger, and of course ask him for putting tips.

ITN Source | September 22, 2006

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