Tiger Woods hugs his mother Kultida and daughter Sam after receiving the Bob Jones Award. USGA/John Kolbe PINEHURST, N.C.
— When Tiger Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, got word that Woods would be honored with the 2024 Bob Jones Award, the United States Golf Association’s highest honor, Steinberg asked Woods’ loved ones if one of them might be game to introduce Woods at the award ceremony, which was held Tuesday night here in Pinehurst. Alas, no one wanted the job. “Everyone on the Tiger team took a pass,” broadcaster Mike Tirico, who ultimately landed the presenting gig, told the audience at the Carolina Hotel.
“Because nobody wanted to be one-upped.” One-upped, that is, by Woods’ daughter, Sam, who delivered a memorable and touching speech in 2022 when her father was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Follow that ? No thanks, said Woods’ confidantes.
So Steinberg tapped Tirico, who, from his perch in 18th-hole towers from California to Carnoustie, has helped chronicle much of Woods’ prolific career. After opening remarks from Tirico, who touched not only on Woods’ dominance as a player but also his charitable contributions through his TGR Foundation, USGA CEO Mike Whan took the podium to present Woods with the physical manifestation of the award, a bronze figurine of Bob Jones. Woods looks at ease in front of crowds, and not just the kind that gather at golf courses.
Reporters might gripe about Woods’ unwillingness to open up in press conferen.