[ad_1]

Tiger Woods thegrio.com
Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates after sinking his putt on the 18th green to win during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump is so impressed with Tiger Woods’ 2019 Masters win on Sunday that he’s ready to honor the athlete with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The triumph marked Woods’ first Masters win in 14 years, after his career was derailed by a series of health issues and personal drama, CNN reports. Sunday’s milestone was the 15th major victory of his career and his first since 2008.

READ MORE: Boxing champ Claressa Shields makes history with stunning defeat

Trump, an avid golfer, took to Twitter to note that he congratulated Woods “on the great victory” and announced plans to present him with the Medal of Freedom, which is the nation’s highest civilian honor.

The medal is bestowed upon individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” according to the executive order designating the award, the report states.

One Twitter user reacted to Trump’s announcement by writing: “Perfect decision by you and well deserved by Tiger.”

The president owns a dozen golf courses in the U.S., including clubs in Florida, Virginia and New Jersey. Earlier this year, he was photographed playing with Woods and Jack Nicklaus at his course in Woods’ hometown of Jupiter, Florida.

Trump and Woods are longtime pals who have gone golfing together numerous times. The former Apprentice host has also applauded Woods in the past for refraining from commenting on the president’s politics and policies, according to Yahoo.

READ MORE: Nipsey Hussle memorial basketball court unveiled in Crenshaw

Since he took office, Trump has presented the Medal of Freedom to Sen. Orrin Hatch, Elvis Presley, Babe Ruth, Antonin Scalia, Roger Staubach, Miriam Adelson, Alan Page and Roger Staubach.

Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Charles Sifford are the only golfers to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Palmer received the honor from George W. Bush in 2004 and Nicklaus in 2005. Barack Obama gave the award to Sifford in 2014.



[ad_2]

Source link