Tiger inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame

Tiger Woods gives his speech as the 15-time major winner is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame

Tiger Woods took his place among the best of all time on Wednesday night as he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

The 46-year-old Woods entered the storied hall as part of the Class of 2022 along with retired PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, U.S. Women’s Open champion Susie Maxwell Berning and Marion Hollins, a U.S. Women’s Amateur champion and golf course architect who was recognised posthumously.

Woods’ 14-year-old daughter Sam proudly presented her father, saying she had inducted him “into the Dad Hall of Fame a long time ago”, while she also referenced Tiger’s car crash last year in her closing comments.

Tiger Woods pictured with his daughter Sam after being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame

“We didn’t know if you’d come home with two legs or not,” Sam said. “This is why you deserve this, because you’re a fighter.

“You’ve defied the odds every time, being the first Black and Asian golfer to win a major, being able to win your fifth Masters after multiple back surgeries, and being able to walk just a few months after your crash.”

Tiger subsequently said, “I just lost a bet to [Steve] Stricker that I wouldn’t cry.

“All the inductees, all the people, all the past Hall of Famers who are here, players, the World Golf Hall of Fame committee, thank you for inducting me and passing me in here. Jay [Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner], thank you for moving the age down from 50 to 45.”

Woods began his narrative at six years old, a time he says he “was getting hooked to the game of golf” with his father, Earl, who died in 2006.

From there he told the story of a young Tiger learning, playing and becoming one of the best golfers to ever play the game.

“Without the sacrifices of Mom who took me to all those junior golf tournaments, and Dad, who’s not here, but who instilled in me this work ethic to fight for what I believe in, chase after my dreams, nothing’s ever going to be given to you, everything’s going to be earned,” Woods said.

“If you don’t go out there and put in the work, you don’t go out and put in the effort, one, you’re not going to get the results, but two, and more importantly, you don’t deserve it. You need to earn it.”

Woods has not committed to playing in 2022 as he continues to recover from his car accident last year. His only 2021 tournament came in December at the 36-hole PNC Championship with his son, Charlie.

He didn’t touch on any of his 82 victories on the PGA Tour or his 15 majors, or the eight surgeries he has endured in his career, instead choosing to pay tribute to those who have supported him along the way.

“I know that golf is an individual sport,” Woods said. “We do things on our own a lot for hours on end, but in my case, I didn’t get here alone.

“I had unbelievable parents, mentors, friends, who allowed me and supported me in the toughest times, the darkest of times, and celebrated the highest of times.

“I just want to say thank you to my mom, Sam, Erica [Herman, his girlfriend], Charlie, everyone here, all my friends that have come to be here.

“All of you allowed me to get here. I just want to say thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.”

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