Tiger Woods received a prestigious award from the USGA on Tuesday night before the US Open.
The Bob Jones Award is the USGA’s highest honor recognizing commitment to sportsmanship and respect for the traditions of golf.
The 15-time major winner was surrounded by family as he accepted the prestigious title in Pinehurst, North Carolina, ahead of this week’s US Open.
The 48-year-old was joined by his mother Kultida, 80, daughter Sam, 16, and son Charlie, 15.
“Charlie just said not to let my head get too big,” Woods joked at the start of his speech after a video played filled with some of the game’s most famous faces and big names praising him.
Tiger Woods received a prestigious award from the USGA on Tuesday night.
The 48-year-old accepted the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor.
“It is a very special and humbling night,” he continued. ‘One that I don’t take lightly because of the past winners of this award. These are people I had idolized either through literature, in person or on video, or even got to play and compete with them.
“Bobby Jones is the greatest amateur who ever lived and what he meant to the game and what he designed it to be and be represented – all the attributes you try to aspire to in this great game of golf – this is what Bobby Jones he alluded.
Woods went on to pay an incredibly moving tribute to his mother, who was sitting alongside her two sons in the audience. She thanked him for her support in helping him achieve his dreams.
“There was no other time I felt so much pressure to win the event than the last American amateur tournament I was going to play in,” he recalled of the 199 tournament.
‘The reason is that mom never came with any of my young ones. Mom never went to any of my fans. (But) She was wearing a Stanford sweatshirt there at Pumpkin Ridge, she was there for the first time. Now, imagine if she lost that damn thing. But when I made that winning putt, who was the first person I hugged? Right mommy, it was you.’
The camera focused on Tida and she emotionally looked at her son on the podium with pride.
“My mom doesn’t get enough credit,” Woods added. “Everyone always thought it was Dad and I who were on the road, and it was, but Mom was home. Mom’s been there my whole life, she’s been there through thick and thin.
‘I accept this award with humility and incredible respect for previous winners, but I also accept it from my mother. She allowed me to get here, to pursue my dreams. I didn’t do this alone, she had the biggest rock any child could have: my mom. Thanks mommy.’
Woods hugged his mother and daughter Sam tightly after leaving the stage, while his son Charlie applauded his father.
Tida was married to Woods’ father, Earl, for 37 years until his death in May 2006 at their home in Cypress.
The winner of 15 major tournaments was joined by his son Charlie, 15, his mother, Kultida, and his daughter Sam, 16 (LR)
The camera focused on Tida, 80, as she emotionally looked at her son on the podium.
Woods is accustomed to being honored for his performances on the course, where he has won 15 majors among his 82 career victories on the PGA Tour.
Woods, 48, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump in 2019.
Woods is a nine-time USGA champion, winning three consecutive US Junior Amateur tournaments, followed by three consecutive US Amateur tournaments, and then the US Open at Pebble Beach (2000), Bethpage Black (2002) and Torrey Pines ( 2008).
Jones won the Grand Slam in 1930, when it was comprised of the US Open, the US Amateur, the British Open and the British Amateur. He later co-founded the Augusta National Golf Club and created the Masters.
Off the golf course, Woods launched what is now called the TGR Foundation, which emphasizes educational opportunities along with STEM-based learning at the TGR Learning Lab in California. He also founded a golf course design company. One of his courses in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, hosted a PGA Tour event last fall.
Previous winners include Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, Mickey Wright and Ben Hogan, and former President George HW Bush.
Woods is set to compete in this week’s third major of the year at Pinehurst in North Carolina, and his family has not only been with him off the course but on it as well.
Charlie himself attempted to qualify for the event but came up short in a qualifier in April, but he joined his famous father – and in matching colors too – in a practice round with Max Homa and Min Woo Lee before the start of the event. Thursday.
Woods hugged his mother and daughter Sam tightly after leaving the stage.
He also gave a hug to Charlie, who had joined him for a practice round earlier that day.
Speaking about Charlie’s presence on the course, Woods told the media: “I think having Charlie here is very special. To have the father-son relationship that we have and extend it to this part of our lives, he plays a lot of junior golf. and I keep playing here.
‘It’s great for him to see the kids he sees on TV, on YouTube and on TikTok, whatever they do. At home he is with JT (Justin Thomas) and Rick (Rickie Fowler) a lot. But watching other guys hit the golf ball doesn’t do it justice until you see it in person.
‘Today I was very excited to see Max (Homa) and Min Woo (Lee) and watch them hit golf balls. They’ve talked to him quite a bit, especially him and Min Woo. I think they are closer in age than anyone else. He is great. It’s great for us to be able to share these moments together.
‘As for their responsibilities, it’s the same. I trust him with my swing and my game. He has seen it more than anyone in the world. He’s seen me hit more golf balls than anyone.
Charlie Woods, 15, gives some advice to his legendary father Tiger at Pinehurst on Tuesday
The superstar pair were joined by Min-Woo Lee (left) and Max Homa (second right) on Tuesday.
Charlie tried, and failed, to qualify for the tournament himself, at just 15 years old.
‘I tell him what to look for, especially with putting. Today he gave me a couple of details, which was great, because I’m so focused on hitting certain putts on certain pins that I tend to forget some of the things I’m working on.
‘I just want to see the balls roll. He reminds me of it from time to time, which is great. “We have a great relationship and rapport like that, and it’s a wonderful experience for both of us.”
Woods has played little competitive golf outside the majors so far in 2024, appearing in only one other event: the Genesis Invitational in February, which resulted in a second-day withdrawal.
He made the cut at the Masters in April, before finishing seven over par and missing the weekend at Valhalla at the PGA Championship.
