Tiger Woods, sparkling off his epic comeback victory in the Masters, was awarded President Donald Trump the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on Monday. Presenting the golfing exquisite with the state’s maximum honor, Trump praised Woods’ “relentless will to win, win, win.”
“These traits encompass the American spirit of pushing obstacles, defying limits, and usually striving for greatness,” the president said.
Trump congratulated Woods on “your remarkable comeback and awesome life and for giving sports lovers an entire life of recollections.
Trump congratulated Woods on “your high-quality comeback and extraordinary life and for giving sports fanatics an entire life of recollections.
“We can not wait to look what is subsequent, Tiger,” stated Trump, an avid golfer and owner of several golf courses worldwide.
Woods, 43, choked up as he thanked his mother, his two youngsters, his girlfriend, and his caddy at some stage in the White House Rose Garden ceremony.
“You have seen the good and the terrible, the highs and the lows,” stated Woods, who battled lower back from damage to win the Masters closing month, his first primary name since the 2008 US Open.
“My dad is now not here, but my mom is right here,” Woods said. “I love you, Mom.”
“I even have tried to hang in there, and I have tried to return returned and play the incredible game of golf once more,” Woods said. “I have been lucky enough to have had the possibility to do it again.”
He started his Master’s victory turned into “possibly the highlight of what I have performed to date in my existence on the golf direction.
“To have had that form of revel in and to come out on pinnacle and win,” he stated.
‘Especially meritorious.’
Established by John F. Kennedy in 1963, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is bestowed upon the ones who have made a “mainly meritorious” contribution to US protection or countrywide hobbies, world peace, cultural hobbies, or other non-distinctive endeavors.
It has been provided to nearly three dozen sports figures, including golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, honored by President George W. Bush.
President Barack Obama gave the medal in 2014 to Charlie Sifford, the first African-American golfer to play on the PGA Tour. During his speech, Woods praised Sifford, who he said turned into “like the grandpa I never had.”
“I ended up becoming so close with him that I ended up naming my son Charlie after him,” he stated. “So to have been selected as the subsequent golfer after Charlie is super.”
Woods’ Masters changed into his 15th predominant title, leaving him just three short of the report held by using Nicklaus. Woods, a black celeb in a white-ruled game, has recommended clear commenting on politics at some point in his profession.
He has golfed with Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and Republican presidents George HW Bush and Trump. He has hit the links with Trump on numerous events, most recently in February at the president’s route in Jupiter, Florida.
Woods becomes asked in the closing year about his courting with Trump, who has been engaged in an ongoing feud with many African-American basketball and football stars.
“Well, I’ve recognized Donald for several years,” Woods said. “We’ve played golf together. We’ve had dinner together.
Woods said the essential aspect was to appreciate the president’s office, no matter who passed off to be occupying the White House.
“No count number who’s in the workplace; you could like or dislike personality or politics; however, all of us should appreciate the office,” Woods stated.
