Tiger Woods, fresh off an incredible win in the Masters this weekend, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump.
The President made the announcement via social media, after spending the weekend periodically tweeting about Woods’ incredible performance.
Tiger, certainly in the argument as one of the best golfers of all time, suffered through an 11-year drought between major championships. A drought which included some high-profile personal struggles and a series of difficult injuries.
That all came to an end on Sunday when he sank a short putt on the 18th green to capture his fifth Masters.
“Love people who are great under pressure,” Trump tweeted when the victory was secured. “What a fantastic life comeback for a really great guy!”
The President’s celebration carried into Monday, where he made an announcement that Woods might celebrate just as much as a Green Jacket.
Spoke to @TigerWoods to congratulate him on the great victory he had in yesterday’s @TheMasters, & to inform him that because of his incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE, I will be presenting him with the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019
Joins Other Legends
Woods will join three other golf greats as those having received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, given to individuals “for especially meritorious contribution to … cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were both granted the award by George W. Bush in 2004 and 2005 respectively, while Charles Sifford, the first African American to play on the PGA Tour, was given the award by Barack Obama in 2014.
Trump has also given the medal to other athletes, including Babe Ruth, Roger Staubach, and Alan Page.
After calling @TigerWoods to congratulate him on his 5th Masters victory, President Trump announced he would be awarding Woods with the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, citing his “incredible Success & Comeback in Sports.” Read more here: https://t.co/2mhaRpm9vw via @DailyCaller
— Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) April 15, 2019
Friends With Trump
President Trump and Tiger have maintained a friendship throughout even the most tumultuous of times.
In February, the President joined Woods and Nicklaus at his course in Woods’ hometown of Jupiter, Florida.
Great morning at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida with @JackNicklaus and @TigerWoods! pic.twitter.com/mdPN4yvS8e
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2019
Last summer, an ESPN reporter tried goading Woods into making disparaging comments about Trump. The golf legend responded by saying, “No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office.”
Here’s MSESPN sports media trying to drag @TigerWoods into politics by attacking his relationship with @realDonaldTrump. This is what athletes deal with all the time now, left wing sports media trying to use them to advance their own political beliefs. pic.twitter.com/6B40CC5X7r
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) August 26, 2018
That was from the same network where hosts took turns blasting Woods as unintelligent and ‘not really black’ due to his friendship with President Trump.
