U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday presented golfer Tiger Woods with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian decoration in the United States, during a ceremony at the White House.
“His outstanding successes on a golf course and his triumph over physical adversity, his relentless will to win, win, win… These qualities embody the American spirit of pushing the limits,” Trump said in a vibrant tribute to the champion.
The golfer became emotional as he thanked his mother and two sons during the ceremony: “They have seen the good and the bad, the highs and the lows”. In a historic feat, at 43 years of age and with several back surgeries, Woods once again made the spectators roar with his triumph at the Augusta Masters, recalling his victories in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.
“Throwing in the towel is never part of the equation. You have to keep fighting with the challenges we have every day. I felt so prepared before I got here. I was starting to move the ball how I know I can move the ball to win here. My body is sore. I definitely gave it my all today. I can assure you that I’m not going to hit a single ball tomorrow,” the golfer had commented after that conquest.
Trump himself via Twitter had anticipated the following day that he would award him for his successful comeback: “I spoke with Tiger Woods to congratulate him on the great win he had at the Augusta Masters and to inform him that because of his incredible success and comeback in sport and, more importantly, in life, I will give him the Presidential Medal of Freedom!”
This award is presented to those who make a significant contribution to the security, world peace or national interests of the United States.
Woods was not the first golfer to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Earlier, George W. Bush presented it to Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, while Barack Obama presented it to Charlie Sifford.
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