Imagine this—you just clinched your first-ever PGA Tour victory, you’re still riding the high, scrolling through celebratory messages, and then… bam – you see a voicemail from Tiger Woods. Yes, that happened to Karl Vilips after his breakthrough win at the Puerto Rico Open. The 22-year-old Aussie carded a stunning final-round 64 to finish at 26 under par, securing his maiden PGA Tour title in style.

But his journey to this moment? A complete rollercoaster.

Earlier in 2023, Vilips was just another hopeful name in the field at the U.S. Open—until he missed the cut and was sent packing by Round 2. Fast forward to 2025, and his season didn’t exactly start with fireworks, either. He made his PGA Tour debut at the Mexico Open, finishing way down at T72. Then came the Cognizant Classic, where he found rhythm and climbed to T39.

And then, out of nowhere, he flipped the script completely—going from a struggling rookie to a PGA Tour champion in just a few weeks. And the best part? He did it while reppin Tiger Woods’ brand, Sun Day Red.

If that’s not a full-circle moment, what is? Vilips is the first-ever official ambassador for Woods’ new clothing line, and it didn’t take long for him to make history in those iconic red threads. Even he couldn’t understand how quickly things lined up. 

“I signed it three weeks ago, so not too long since a Sun Day Red player has gotten a win. I think it’s really special,” he shared.

He continued, “I think it shows me that there’s a reason why they chose me to rep their brand and I’m just really happy to be able to do it in a way that’s, you know, as myself. It’s really cool and I know everyone at Sun Day Red team is going to be super happy. You’ve got to look good to play good, so yeah, it’s really cool.”

But the real “pinch me” moment came after the win—when Vilips checked his phone. “I got on my phone after the round and I was just scrolling, like who was texting me? I think I got one from a random number that called me as well. Then there was a voicemail saying it’s Tiger and I couldn’t like process it in the moment.”

Yes, Tiger Woods personally called to compliment him. That’s the kind of moment every golfer dreams of. But for Vilips, this wasn’t just about a phone call—it was another surreal chapter in his long-standing connection with the 15-time major champion.

Karl Vilips shares a special bond with Tiger Woods

As incredible as that voicemail from Woods was, it wasn’t the first time Vilips had a surreal moment with his idol. His connection to Woods runs deeper than just wearing Sun Day Red—it’s a story years in the making.

In February, Sun Day Red’s announced Vilips as their first-ever ambassador; likewise, he got a direct shoutout from Woods himself. The 82-time PGA Tour winner didn’t just approve the pick—he personally reposted Sun Day Red’s announcement video on his Instagram story.

Vilips’ reaction? Pure disbelief.

“Coolest thing that ever happened to me,” he said, still trying to process the moment. But this wasn’t just a business deal for him—it was a dream come full circle. Vilips played college golf at Stanford, the same university where Woods dominated in the mid-90s. He grew up idolizing Woods, studying his every move, never imagining one day he’d be representing a brand created by his childhood hero.

So from now on, whenever Vilips steps onto the green, he’ll be rocking the full Tiger-approved setup. And for him, that means more than just a sponsorship—it’s a lifelong aspiration realized.

He was just six years old when he met Woods for the first time —too awestruck to speak to the man. “I’ve had a handful of interactions with [Woods]; all have been progressively a little bit better,” Vilips recalled. “I think the first time I met him, I was 6 and I was just awestruck looking at him. Couldn’t really say anything. Just listened to whatever he had to say. And then met him again a couple of years later. Throughout this whole [Sun Day Red] process, it’s been really cool to hear what he’s had to say in picking me as an ambassador. I hold that to heart. It’s a huge honor.”

Woods, on the other hand, has had his eye on Vilips for a while—and made it clear why the brand chose him.

“Karl’s journey has been marked by success at every level he’s played,” Woods stated in a press release. “At Sun Day Red, we were drawn towards his relentless work ethic and pioneering spirit that embody what we stand for and look for in our athletes. With his impressive track record and determination, I have no doubt he will make a significant impact quickly on the PGA Tour and is one of the game’s future stars.”

With a PGA Tour win under his belt and Woods backing him all the way, Vilips is proving that the Sun Day Red team made the right call. And if his meteoric rise over the last few months is anything to go by, this is just the beginning.