Danny Moloshok / Reuters

Tiger Woods' amazing U.S. Open victory was just one of the scenes from 2008.

Kevin Sutherland’s lone victory on the PGA Tour came in 2002, when he beat two reigning major champions, David Duval and David Toms, and future major winner Jim Furyk on his way to victory in the Accenture Match Play Championship.

That was too long ago for the group of kids asking for his autograph at the AT&T National, who were extremely polite in asking two questions.

“Can I have your autograph, please?”

“What’s your name?”

Sutherland smiled, not the least bit offended, and told a story on himself.

Seems he was on his way to dinner that week with his wife Mary and 7-year-old son, Keaton. They were in the elevator with Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman when the doors opened to pick up another passenger. It was an elderly woman, apparently a golf fan, for she recognized Tilghman immediately.

“You’re the woman on the Golf Channel,” she said. “Who do you think is going to win the tournament?”

Tilghman smiled and said, “I think it will be Kevin Sutherland.”

“Who’s that?” the woman replied.

As Tilghman looked over her shoulder at Sutherland to make the introduction, Keaton spoke up.

“Nah,” his son said. “He’s not going to win.”

Sutherland laughed heartily when he finished the story, then went back to signing autographs.

———

Don’t think the Tiger Woods’ camp doesn’t have a long memory.

A year ago, Rory Sabbatini was last in the 16-man field of Tiger Woods’ $5.5 million charity event at Sherwood Country Club when he withdrew (citing shin splints) and caught an early flight to Hawaii. He still collected $170,000 in last-place money, which he later donated.

In the Sherwood locker room this year was a plaque commemorating the 2007 tournament, featuring a flag signed by all 16 players. There was a name plate of the winner (Woods) inside a larger name plate with the rest of the field. But only 14 other names were listed.

Care to guess whose name was missing?