Golfer Tiger Woods Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

US President Donald Trump recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to golfer Tiger Woods. In the award ceremony, the President also said that it is his privilege to bestow the honor to one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports.

The special ceremony was hosted by White House, which was attended by Wood’s family including his mother, children and girlfriend among others. President Trump called the 15-time major winner a global symbol of excellence, devotion and drive. The president summarized Woods’s career achievements, including his groundbreaking victory at the 1997 Masters.

Tiger Woods' accomplishments overcoming from severe injuries and personal issues to win the 2019 Masters, his first major victory since 2008 and an achievement that resonated far beyond the world of sports.

In his introductory speech, President Trump said, “He fought all the way back to the summit of golf. Tiger, we are inspired by everything you’ve become”, congratulating Woods on his ‘amazing comeback’ and ‘amazing life’.

After receiving the medal, Woods told the audience, who were present in the Rose Garden, that his journey had been an “unbelievable experience”. He also grew emotional while telling his mother that he loves her and thanking his children, Samantha and Charlie, for their continuous support.

Woods also thanked his caddie, Joe LaCava, who was also present in the gathering and mentioned the three previous golfers who won the Medal of Freedom including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Charles Sifford. In his closing remark, he thanked Trump saying, “Thank you, Mr. President”.

At the age of 43 years, Woods recovered from both personal issues and four back and knee surgeries to claim his 81st overall PGA Tour victory at the Masters recently, which is indeed a matter of inspiration.

After Woods won the Masters, fifth such title of his career last month, US President Donald Trump announced that the medal, which is one of the highest civilian honors, would be bestowed on him. Next day, Trump tweeted that Woods deserves the honor because of “his incredible Success and Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE”.

Trump and Woods are longtime golf partners. Tiger Woods lives near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach near Florida. The two have also played together several times in the past, during Christmastime in 2016 and Thanksgiving of 2017. In early February, Tiger Woods also played golf with the President and Nicklaus, which the President later tweeted.

Now after the award ceremony, Woods will concentrate on the second major PGA Championship, which is scheduled for next week.