Tiger Woods shares “very special” feelings of being awarded the 2024 USGA Bobby Jones award ahead of the US Open
Tiger Woods will receive the Bobby Jones award granted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) this Tuesday, June 11. It is a recognition that Woods described as “very special” and will be presented to him at the Pinehurst Resort, home of the US Open 2024.
Woods spoke about it in an interview with Taylor Zarzour of SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. The 15-time Major champion said he has always enjoyed his participation in events organized by the USGA.
This was part of what Tiger Woods had to say:
"I think that any time you are in association with mister Jones, it's always incredible. The way he did in his amateur career, winning the ams and the opens, and then obviously creating Augusta National."
"The fact that I get a chance to be honored with his award tonight is very special. I've been able to play in... I will say not in this championship but in the US state championships, since I was 14 years old. So, it's been a long time and I've always enjoyed it, at all levels."
The Bob Jones Award is the highest honor bestowed by the USGA in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. The award has been presented since 1955 and among those who have received it are Babe Zaharias, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Annika Sorenstam, Gene Sarazen, among many others.
Robert Tyre Jones Jr., better known as Bobby Jones, was the most successful amateur player in the history of golf. Jones won 13 editions of the tournaments considered Majors in his time (US Amateur, US Open, British Amateur, British Open), including the season Grand Slam in 1930, the only player ever to achieve this feat.
Awards and recognitions received by Tiger Woods during his career
Tiger Woods shares with Bobby Jones the record of 9 USGA titles won in his career. Now the award named after the legendary amateur joins a long list of awards and recognitions received by Woods.
One of the most relevant of the early stages of his golf career was the Haskins Award in 1996, received as the most outstanding collegiate golfer in America. That same year, Woods was recognized as the PGA Tour player of the year.
Tiger Woods also received the Laureus World Sports Award as Sportsman of the Year in 2000 and 2001. He was exalted to the California Hall of Fame in 2007 and to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021. In 2019, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from then-President Donald Trump.
In addition, Woods is a 14-time recipient of the Mark H. McCormack Award, which recognizes the player with the most weeks at number one in the world ranking during the calendar year.