Sports Illustrated, a renowned sports magazine, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this month. As part of the commemoration, the golf team at Sports Illustrated is taking a trip down memory lane by revisiting some of the most iconic covers in the magazine’s history. One such cover that stands out is the double issue from April 22, 2019, featuring the legendary golfer Tiger Woods.
Kohjiro Kinno, a seasoned photographer for Sports Illustrated, found himself in a serendipitous moment during the 2019 Masters tournament. Little did he know that his photograph of Tiger Woods at Augusta National would end up gracing the cover of one of the boldest issues in Sports Illustrated’s history. The image captured Woods just after he tapped in his winning putt, marking a triumphant return to the top of the golfing world after a tumultuous period of injuries and personal scandals.
It is a rarity for Sports Illustrated to publish a cover with no words, but in this case, the image spoke volumes. Kinno, reflecting on that fateful day, mentioned that there was a palpable sense of something special in the air at Augusta that morning. As play began early to avoid an impending storm, Kinno found himself in the perfect position to capture the moment that would define Woods‘ comeback story.
In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated, Kinno shared insights into his assignment that day and how he ended up tracking Tiger on the 18th hole. Despite the sea of people surrounding the final hole, Kinno managed to secure a prime spot to capture the decisive moment. His experience and familiarity with the Masters tournament allowed him to anticipate the action and position himself for the perfect shot.
The moment of Tiger Woods tapping in his final putt and his visceral reaction lasted only an instant, but Kinno’s keen eye and quick reflexes immortalized that moment in a photograph. Kinno admitted that amidst the chaos and excitement of the moment, he remained focused on capturing any fleeting moment that would encapsulate the essence of the day.
When Kinno realized the significance of the photo he had taken, it was only after the tournament had concluded. As he scrolled through the images on his camera, he knew he had captured something special, but it wasn’t until the next day that he learned his photograph would be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Looking back on that iconic photo today, Kinno reminisces about the energy and anticipation he felt from the patrons at Augusta that day. The photo serves as a reminder of the historic moment in Tiger Woods‘ career and the thrill of capturing such a pivotal moment in sports history.
For Kinno, the photograph holds a special place in his collection, marking a significant milestone in his photography career. However, true to his nature as a dedicated photographer, he remains focused on the next frame, always striving to capture the next unforgettable moment in sports.