Charlie Woods cracks hilarious one-liner before Tiger Woods receives award at US Open
Charlie Woods cracked a joke just before his dad Tiger Woods got up on stage to collect the Bob Jones Award ahead of the US Open.
Tiger Woods with son Charlie Woods at the US Open
Charlie Woods cracked a hilarious one-liner just before his dad Tiger Woods got up on stage to collect the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honour recognising commitment to sportsmanship and respect for golf’s traditions.
Woods, 48, was presented with his prestigious award by the USGA in a ceremony at Pinehurst in North Carolina on Tuesday night.
“Well I guess I’ll start my speech by saying Charlie just said don’t let my head get too big,” Woods said as he stifled a smile in front of those watching on in the gallery.
Tiger with his son Charlie at the US Open
Woods’ family members were situated in the crowd, including Charlie, daughter Samantha, 16, and mother Kultida, 80.
The 15-time major champion continued:
“It is a very humbling and special night, one that I don’t take lightly just because of the former recipients of this award. These are people that I had idolized either through literature or in person or books, or video or even got to play and compete with.
“This award, as its name says, it’s Bobby Jones who is the greatest amateur that ever lived and what he meant to the game and what he designed the game to be and to be represented, and how he created The Masters, a major championship – all the attributes that he try to aspire to in this great game of golf – this is what Bobby Jones alluded.”
Woods then spoke about his past achievements in USGA tournaments throughout his career.
The former World No.1 is a nine-time USGA champion having won three straight US Junior Amateurs, three straight US Amateurs, as well as the US Open at Pebble Beach (2000), Bethpage Black (2002) and Torrey Pines (2008).
Rewarding to witness a golf great, @TigerWoods, receive the Bob Jones Award — @USGA’s pinnacle honor — recognizing his respect for the game, his perseverance + mental strength. He dedicated the award to his #mom, sharing that his traits were developed through her devotion. pic.twitter.com/sf6lVp2Qje
— Rhett Evans (@GCSAACEO) June 12, 2024
Woods then moved on to pay an emotional tribute to his mom, Tida, thanking her for all of her support in helping him achieve his dreams.
“There’s no other time that I had ever felt so much pressure to win one event than the last US Amateur that I was ever going to play in.
“The reason is mom never came to any of my juniors. Mom never came to any of my amateurs. She was wearing a Stanford sweatshirt there at Pumpkin Ridge, she was there for the first time. Now, imagine if I lost the damn thing. But when I made that winning putt who was the first person I hugged? Right mommy, it was you.
“My mom doesn’t get enough credit. Everyone always though it was me and dad on the road, which it was, but mom was at home. Mom has been there my entire life, she’s been there through thick and thin.
“This award I accept in humbleness and unbelievable regard for the past recipients but I also accept it from my mommy too. She allowed me to get here, to chase my dreams. I didn’t do this alone, I had the greatest rock that any child could possibly have – my mom. Thank you, mommy.”
Woods then walked off the stage for hugs with his family members.
2024 Bob Jones Award recipient Tiger Woods pic.twitter.com/gTyROvm54T
— USGA (@USGA) June 12, 2024
Charlie is helping his father with his golf game at this week’s US Open.
He has been seen on the range, short game area and out on the course casting an eye over Woods’ game.
The Bob Jones Award adds to a number of other recent accolades for Woods, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump in 2019, and his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022.
