Tiger Woods to Visit White House to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom

Tiger Woods reacts as he wins the Masters golf tournament. AP Photo/David J. Phillip

After winning his fifth Masters title, golfer Tiger Woods is slated to visit the White House to receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed his visit on May 2.

“President Trump will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to world-renowned golfer Tiger Woods on Monday, May 6 in the White House Rose Garden. The event will be invitation only and covered by the press,” Sanders wrote on Twitter.

In April, Trump tweeted that he spoke to Woods after winning the title, adding that “because of his incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE, I will be presenting him with the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM.”

Trump also wrote that he was watching the Masters.

Woods has 81 PGA Tour victories and has made more than $118 million in career earnings. The 43-year-old won his latest title after years of nagging health issues and personal problems. It was his first Masters win in 14 years.

The Medal of Freedom recognizes people 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 an executive order.

American Golf Champion Tiger Woods holds the Masters Trophy at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 14, 2019. Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Tiger Woods celebrates on the 18th hole after winning the 2019 Masters on April 14, 2019. Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

“I always thought it was possible if I had everything go my way,” said Woods of his win, CBS News reported. “It took [Nicklaus] an entire career to get to 18. Now that I’ve had another extension to my career—one I didn’t think I had a couple years ago—if I do things correctly, and everything falls my way it’s a possibility. I’m never going to say it’s not ... I just need to have a lot of things go my way.”

Woods added: “It’s only come together 15 times. It takes special moments for it all to come together. Hopefully, I can have it come together down the road more often. I’m excited to have this opportunity again.”

Trump and Woods have golfed before, including in February. They were joined by professional golfer Jack Nicklaus in Florida.

Woods last year told Yahoo that he has known the president for “a number of years.”

“He’s the President of the United States,“ Woods said. ”You have to respect the office. No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office.”