Play 18 holes with Tiger Woods? Sounds like a dream — this teenager got to live it.

All of Shahbaz Hashmi’s notebooks, chock full of formulas and scribbles, were open. Textbooks, too. But instead of studying for his upcoming AP Physics exam last Thursday, Hashmi was busy with something else — checking his cell phone.

Specifically, the 50 or so text messages that all buzzed in at once.

“I was like, ‘What on earth is going on?’” Hashmi said. “I look down and I see: Tiger’s committed. Unbelievable. I was jumping around like a rabbit for the next couple of hours.”

But why would Hashmi, a senior from Alamo Heights, Texas, be so worked up that Tiger Woods committed to play in this weekend’s Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club?

Because now they’d get to play together.

Wait, a 17-year-old and Tiger Woods, the Tiger Woods, playing a round of golf together?

Yes, but first some explanation. Hashmi, who plays varsity golf for his school and is committed to play at Indiana, learned recently that he won an essay contest allowing him to play at the Wells Fargo Championship with the PGA Tour professional of his choice. He considered Phil Mickelson. Rory McIlroy, too. But really, he was always waiting on Tiger.

“Tiger Woods is the reason why I play golf,” Hashmi said of the 14-time major champion after his round Wednesday. “He is the sole reason why I play golf.”

So when Woods finally announced his intention to play Quail Hollow, Hashmi was overjoyed. Then came the next step in the process: actually meeting his childhood hero.

When Hashmi arrived at the course Wednesday morning before his pro-am round, he wandered all the way over to the last spot on the left of the practice range. Sets down his clubs, pulls out a wedge. Hits it (not great).

“Next thing I know, I look back and Tiger’s bag is right next to mine,” Hashmi said. “Somehow I didn’t notice, but it was ... like, ‘OK, this is actually happening.’”

Eventually Woods came over and the two warmed up together. Then came time for hole No. 1. Except... well, Hashmi forgot his glove.

No worries - Woods had a spare for him. Not like Hashmi was going to use it, though, but more on that later.

Finally, after all the anticipation and texts and warmups and waiting, Hashmi got to play. And he did well, even birdieing the second hole. But the actual golf wasn’t the thing he’ll take away from this experience.

It’s meeting Woods. That, and being able to say, ‘Yes, I did once play golf with Tiger Woods.’

“It’s a dream, really,” Hashmi said. “Tiger Woods - and I’m speaking for my whole generation of golfers and athletes here when I say this - he’s our idol. He’s our hero. And, of course, we’ve seen him go through such tough times, but to see him come out on the other side ... that’s just so inspiring.”

And as for Woods? He seemed to enjoy the morning, too. Aside from giving Hashmi the glove, he also gave him advice on a few holes and even let the teenager use his putter and irons.

“Shahbaz, I mean, he did fantastically today,” Woods said. “This is not an easy golf course. I know the tees are up for the amateurs, but it’s still a very hard golf course. I think he did just wonderfully.”

When the 18th hole finally arrived, Woods and Hashmi both smashed their tee shots down the fairway, eventually laying up near one another and making it to the putting green. Hashmi had a chance for a birdie, but barely missed it. Then he and Woods took some photos, signed some autographs, addressed the media together - Hashmi insisted on calling him Mr. Woods, not Tiger - and eventually said their goodbyes.

At that point, Hashmi took off his hat and ran his hands through his hair in disbelief.

So, how was the morning?

“Would like to have converted that putt (on 18),” Hashmi said with a smile, “but hey.”

This story was originally published May 2, 2018 at 5:45 PM with the headline "Play 18 holes with Tiger Woods? Sounds like a dream — this teenager got to live it.."