New Master Champion Honored By President

On Sunday, Tiger Woods made an astounding comeback by winning his first Masters golf tournament in 14 years, his fifth win overall. And now, he’s been bestowed with another honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor available to American civilians.

President Trump announced the honor on Twitter.

“Spoke to @TigerWoods to congratulate him on the great victory he had in yesterday’s @TheMasters, & to inform him 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 tweeted.

Tiger is one of the youngest people to ever receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom—only the Apollo astronauts were considerably younger. He is also the first active athlete to receive the honor.

This is Trump’s eighth Presidential Medal of Freedom, half of which have gone to athletes. So far, Trump has awarded fewer medals than past presidents. At this point in their presidencies, Barack Obama had awarded 35 medals, George W. Bush had awarded 12, and Bill Clinton had awarded 18.

Some criticized Trump for giving the award to Tiger Woods, as it is usually reserved for scientists, artists, and activists. But Tiger stepped in to defend the President after his Masters win.
“He’s the President of the United States. 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,” Woods said.