Wearing Wednesday red just like her father wore Sunday red, Sam Woods shined bright while introducing her father, Tiger, for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
The oldest of Tiger Woods’ two children cracked jokes and was unbroken when talking about difficult times she has shared with her father.
“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,” the 14-year-old Sam said, referring to her father’s single-car accident last February that nearly took his life. “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.”
Some 44 years after shuffling on to the stage of “The Mike Douglas Show” as a 2-year-old and entertaining Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart and the host by hitting golf balls into a net and hitting a few putts, Tiger Woods proudly walked to the podium at PGA Tour headquarters for his rightful induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Also inducted was former PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Susie Maxwell Berning. Visionary and trailblazer Marion Hollins was also inducted posthumously.
During her induction speech, Maxwell Berning, 80, addressed Woods.
“Tiger, I know it’s hard for you to believe, but as young as I am, I won all my tournaments before you were born,” she said to laughter. “And by the way, Tiger, of my three U.S. Opens, the total winnings (were) $16,000. I was wondering if you’d like to swap checks. Perhaps, if not all, we could do one, right?”
Woods smiled throughout.
Woods’ family was in the front row – Sam, his mother, Tida; son, Charlie; and girlfriend, Erica Harman.
Among 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.
Video tributes came from Serena Williams, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Brady.
They all came to see the man who changed the game.
After winning three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur titles and three consecutive U.S. Amateur championships, Woods, 46, turned pro in 1996. He promptly won three times on the PGA Tour in his first 10 starts.
Then he won the 1997 Masters by 12 shots, a historic victory as Woods became the first man of color to win at Augusta National Golf Club.
Woods became the needle that moved the sport. Purses began to significantly rise, TV ratings surged upward. His presence spurred more athletic, stronger players to pick up the game. His peers followed him into the gym and the game became one featuring more power.
