Tiger Woods was formally inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on March 9 and ushered into golf’s most revered club by his 14-year-old daughter, Sam, who delivered a speech at the induction ceremony held at the PGA Tour’s headquarters in Florida.
Woods had been nominated for the award in March 2020, but the ceremony was unable to be held in 2021 because of Covid.
Joining Woods as part of the 2022 induction class are 11-time LPGA Tour winner Susie Maxwell Berning, former PGA TOUR commissioner Tim Finchem, and golf course designer/architect Marion Hollins.
Speaking about her father, who was waiting in the wings, Sam said: “About a year ago you were stuck in a hospital bed at one of your ultimate lows and one of the scariest moments of your life and ours. We didn’t know if you’d come home with two legs or not. Now not only are you about to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but you’re standing here on your own two feet. This is why you deserve this; because you’re a fighter.”
She continued: “Although I never met my dad’s most influential role model, my grandfather, Earl Woods, I feel like I can hear his voice every day reminding me to ‘train hard, fight easy,’ This is an old special forces saying that he ingrained into my dad, who now says it to Charlie and me. It not only teaches us that we have to put in the hard work to get what he wanted, but it’s that hard work that will pay off in the end.”
As part of the live induction ceremony, fellow sportsmen and women including Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, Jerry Rice, Annika Sorenstam and Jack Nicklaus offered perspective on Woods’ legacy as one of the greatest sports figures of all time.
Woods said: “I am both honored and humbled to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. This past year has been such an incredible journey and the support I’ve received from my family, friends and fans has been overwhelming. This achievement is the ultimate recognition to never give up and keep chasing.”
Looking back on his career, which has so far included 93 worldwide wins and 15 major championship victories, Woods said: “I had this burning desire to be able to express myself in this game of golf. One of the things that Dad had instilled in me is that he grew up in the same era as Charlie Sifford (the first black member of the PGA Tour) and why my son is named after Charlie, is that you had to be twice as good to be given half a chance. So that understanding and that drive, as Sam said, train hard, fight easy.
“I made practicing so difficult, hurt so much, because I wanted to make sure that I was ready come game time. I hit thousands of balls, hands bleeding, aching, just so that I could play in a tournament. I know that golf is an individual sport. 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.
“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,” he 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. So that defined my upbringing. That defined my career.”
The presentation was attended by Woods’ mother, Tida; son, Charlie; and girlfriend, Erica Harman. Among the many PGA Tour players in attendance were Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel, Tony Finau, Bubba Watson, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Mackenzie Hughes and Tom Hoge. Among the 27 members of the Hall of Fame on hand were Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Mark O’Meara, Davis Love III, Sandy Lyle, Karrie Webb, Juli Inkster and Nancy Lopez Russell.