It wasn't one of the four trophies Tiger Woods covets most, but as far as awards go, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is as good as it gets.

Woods became just the fourth golfer ever awarded the medal on the heels of his fifth Masters victory and 15th overall major championship. Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Charlie Sifford are the other three. Woods also became just the 33rd athlete to receive the medal and joins Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth and Roger Staubach as athletes to receive it recently.

This medal, which Woods received from President Donald Trump, "Recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

Trump and Woods appeared in the Rose Garden at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, and Trump rolled through Woods' laundry list of career accomplishments, highlighting the 1997 Masters, 2008 U.S. Open and 2019 Masters.

"Today, it's my privilege to award our nation's highest civilian honor to one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports, Tiger Woods," said Trump. "Tiger, congratulations on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom."

"This evening, we are in the presence of a true legend," he added later. "An extraordinary athlete who has transformed golf and achieved new levels of dominances. He's also a great person. He's a great guy."

Woods' story is certainly astonishing. He went from a washed-up icon who couldn't get out of bed to winning the most important golf tournament in the world and taking home one of the handful of Presidential Medals of Freedom ever handed out. Trump called him a "global symbol of American excellence, devotion and drive."

.@TigerWoods becomes the fourth golfer in history to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. pic.twitter.com/NoQCXKphCX — Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 6, 2019

Woods was genuinely emotional as he thanked his mom and his kids. He also contextualized what I think we've all been feeling about that historic Masters win over Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele.

"I just want to say this has been an unbelievable experience," said Woods. "... The amazing Masters experience I had a few weeks ago, certainly the highlight of what I've accomplished so far in my life on the golf course. This is an honor."

He went on to note that he named his own son Charlie after the previous golfer to win this award, Charlie Sifford, the first African American to play on the PGA Tour.

There is not necessarily a rhyme or reason to who receives this medal, but Trump and Woods have been at least friendly for a long time as well as business partners, as the New York Times pointed out.

Established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, the award is a unilateral exercise of presidential power. There are no guidelines for how or why someone should be selected. The medal, which is considered the nation's highest civilian honor, is typically given near the end of the recipient's career to honor a lifetime of achievement. But Mr. Trump waited only a few weeks after the Masters to celebrate Mr. Woods.

It clearly meant a lot to Woods to receive the honor as Trump basked in the presence of athletic greatness. A strange (even improbable) scene? Maybe. But certainly a memorable one for Woods, his family and friends on Monday.

Tiger's boat is currently docked in New York as he awaits his first chance at major championship No. 16 next week at the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black. Woods won a U.S. Open there in 2002 and nearly won another in 2009 when Lucas Glover clipped him by four strokes. Woods will be paired with Francesco Molinari and Brooks Koepka for the first two rounds next Thursday and Friday.</s>Nearly a month after winning his fifth Masters title and 15th major championship at Augusta National, Tiger Woods was standing next to President Donald Trump and accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Monday in Washington, D.C.

Woods received the medal during a ceremony in the White House’s Rose Garden. Among those in attendance were Woods’ mom, Kultida; his kids, Charlie and Sam; girlfriend Erica Herman; and caddie Joe LaCava.

“This evening, we are in the presence of a true legend, an extraordinary athlete who has transformed golf and achieved new levels of dominance,” Trump said. “He’s also a great person; he’s a great guy. … Tiger Woods is a global symbol of American excellence, devotion and drive.”

Established by John F. Kennedy in 1963, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of the country’s highest civilian honors. It is bestowed at the sole discretion of the president to individuals who, according to the White House website, “have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

During his nearly-15-minute-long introduction, Trump talked about Woods’ golf career, from his amateur days to his thrilling major victories to his most recent comeback from four major back surgeries.

“Tiger fought through the terrible pain and he fought all the way back to the summit of golf,” Trump said. “… What happened [at Augusta] was one of most incredible comebacks that golf or any sport has ever seen.”

Trump closed by addressing Woods: “Tiger, we are inspired by everything you’ve become and attained. The job you’ve done is incredible – your spectacular achievements on the golf course, your triumph over physical adversity and your relentless will to win, win, win. These qualities embody the American spirit of pushing boundaries, defying limits and always striving for greatness; that’s what he does.”

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Woods then stepped to the podium.

“This has been an unbelievable experience,” said Woods, who then fought back tears as he thanked his family and all those who have supported him throughout the years.

“I’ve battled. I’ve tried to hang in there,” Woods continued. “I’ve tried to come back and play the great game of golf again. I’ve been lucky of enough to have had the opportunity to do it again … The amazing Masters experience I had a few weeks ago was certainly the highlight of what I’ve accomplished so far in my life on the golf course.”

Woods is the fourth golfer to be awarded the Medal of Freedom, joining Arnold Palmer (2004), Jack Nicklaus (2005) and Charlie Sifford (2014), the latter of whom Woods called “the grandfather that I never had” and named his son after.

“To have been chosen as the next golfer after Charlie is truly remarkable,” Woods said.

Woods also is the first active athlete to receive the honor. Other notable recipients from other sports include Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Roberto Clemente, Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King and Pat Summitt.

The ceremony closed with Trump putting the medal around Woods’ neck. Woods and his family then exited with Trump back into the White House.

Trump and Woods have played golf together on multiple occasions, most recently on Feb. 2 when Jack Nicklaus joined them for a round at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Fla. Woods is also designing the Trump World Golf Club Dubai course in the United Arab Emirates, which is scheduled to open later this year.</s>The Latest: Trump awards Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Tiger Woods receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom (all times local):

President Donald Trump has awarded golfer Tiger Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Trump described Woods on Monday as a "true legend, an extraordinary athlete who has transformed golf and achieved new levels of dominance."

Trump described the litany of victories that Woods has obtained during his remarkable career and the injuries that almost derailed it.

Woods, 43, won his fifth Masters title last month, overcoming personal and professional adversity to once more claim the green jacket.

Woods became emotional as he spoke of his parents and thanked those who have supported him over the years, saying, "You've seen the good and bad, the highs and lows, and I would not be in this position without all of your help."

President Donald Trump's decision to award the nation's highest civilian honor to professional golfer Tiger Woods has raised questions about whether the president should be boosting the profile of a business associate of the Trump Organization.

Trump planned to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Woods during a White House ceremony Monday evening. The president announced his intention to do so after Woods won the Masters Tournament last month, capping a remarkable recovery from injury and years of personal troubles.

Trump tweeted that he was awarding Woods the medal because of his "incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE."

Trump has been using Woods' cachet to attract fans to his properties for decades. Trump has also struck business deals with Woods.</s>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump awarded golfer Tiger Woods the nation’s highest civilian honor on Monday, describing the 43-year-old as a “true legend” who transformed golf and then fought through years of injury to return to the sport’s summit.

Trump awarded Woods with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He’s the fourth golfer to earn that distinction and certainly the youngest. While Woods dominated the sport for more than a decade, he won his first major in nearly 11 years at last month’s Masters Tournament, a comeback that captivated the sporting world.

“Tiger was back on top,” Trump declared during the Rose Garden ceremony.

If there were a Mount Rushmore for golfers, Woods would almost certainly be on it. He ranks second in PGA Tour wins and in major tournament victories. But the president’s decision to award the nation’s highest civilian honor to Woods also raised scrutiny about whether the president should be boosting the profile of a business associate of The Trump Organization.

Trump understood the importance of Woods comeback to golf and its fans, tweeting shortly after the Masters win that he was awarding Woods the medal because of his “incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE.”

Trump has been using Woods’ cachet to attract fans to his properties for decades. Trump got Woods to show up at his Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, a day after the golfer’s first Masters victory in 1997. The place was mobbed. Two thousand fans showed up as Woods walked down a 320-foot red carpet, some of them storming steel barricades to get a closer look.

Trump has also struck business deals with Woods.

Golfers at Trump’s club in Doral, Florida, can stay at the Tiger Woods Villa. At a ribbon cutting ceremony in 2014, Woods lavished praise on the future presidential candidate, calling changes he made to the club “phenomenal.”

In Dubai, Woods designed an 18-hole course to be managed by The Trump Organization.

Ethics officials have criticized Trump for not selling off his assets completely and holding the money in a blind trust. Instead, he set up a trust to hold his assets, handed day-to-day management responsibilities to two sons and hired an ethics lawyer to vet business deals. Trump can draw money from the trust and can benefit if his properties increase in value.

“You have to ask whether it’s his true belief Tiger Woods deserves this award or whether he’s doing it to help his business,” said Jordan Libowitz, communications director at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning public policy group.

Christopher Devine, an associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton, said Trump may have a business angle, but when he stacks up Woods’ accomplishments against other recipients, he believes Woods deserves it.

“If President Obama or Hillary Clinton had given the award to Tiger, no one would have batted an eye,” said Devine, who has studied the history of the award, established in 1963.

President George W. Bush presented the Medal of Freedom to Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Obama presented it to Charlie Sifford, sometimes referred to as the “Jackie Robinson of golf.” Woods noted that he named his son after Sifford. “He was like the grandpa I never had,” Woods recalled.

Devine also noted that previous presidents have presented the award to supporters and political donors. For example, Obama awarded the Medal of Freedom to Bruce Springsteen, who performed in concerts to support Obama’s election efforts. He also awarded it to his vice president, Joe Biden.

Woods was joined at the ceremony by his mother, Kutilda; daughter, Sam Alexis, 11; son, Charlie Axel, 10; and girlfriend Erica Herman. Woods’ father, Earl, passed away more than a decade ago. Woods’ longtime caddie, Joe LaCava, also attended.

Woods became emotional as he spoke of his parents, and he thanked those who have supported him over the years, saying, “You’ve seen the good and bad, the highs and lows, and I would not be in this position without all of your help.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is given to individuals who have made “especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” according to the White House. Presidents have complete discretion over whom they honor with the medal.

Some athletes and sports champions have resisted visiting the Trump White House because of their differences with the president.

Rick Reilly, who wrote a book about Trump’s golfing entitled “Commander in Cheat,” said Woods has brought golf to people of color all over the world, while Trump has promoted it as a sport for the rich. He said Woods has not been one to take stands on political issues, but should have declined the award in this case.

“I can see how it would be hard to resist, but I still think it’s hypocritical to do it,” Reilly said.</s>WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Donald Trump bestowed Tiger Woods with the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Monday evening in the White House Rose Garden.

The duo shares a love of the game of golf, but both have also risen to unpredictable and spectacular comebacks: Trump from bankruptcy to the presidency; Woods from public shaming following multiple affairs, injuries and a resulting painkiller addiction, to winning this year's Masters.

The Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors," according to the executive order designating the award. Since taking office, Trump has presented the award to numerous athletes, including Alan Page, Roger Staubach, and a posthumous award to Babe Ruth.

Trump, who has a long history with Woods, said in a tweet after the Masters that he had congratulated the golfer on the win and his comeback, announcing that he would be giving him the award.

"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!" the tweet said.

Woods' career slumped following his divorce and surrounding scandal in late 2009 and early 2010. He lost about $20 million from estimated endorsements after sponsors including Gatorade, AT&T, and Accenture cut ties. After a string of losses in 2011, Woods failed to make the World Golf Ranking's top 50 players list. But one fan who stuck with him: Donald Trump, who supported the embattled golfer in March 2013 via Twitter.

"I remained strong for @TigerWoods during his difficult period. He rewarded me (and himself) by winning at Trump National Doral," Trump wrote.

Days later, Woods regained his No. 1 ranking.

While it's entirely up to the President's discretion as to who receives the Medal of Freedom, the choice of Woods, who at 43 is still relatively young compared to other recipients, has raised eyebrows for Trump's business ties to the pro golfer.

Trump, an avid golfer, owns courses across the world and frequently hits the links, playing most recently this Saturday at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. His Trump National Doral in Miami has a villa named for Woods. According to The New York Times, Woods celebrated his first Masters win in 1997 at Trump's Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

And, per the Times, Woods is designing a course in Dubai that would be managed by the Trump Organization. Though it was expected to be completed by the end of 2017, it has yet to open, and a spokesman for Woods declined to comment to the Times.

The President has played multiple rounds with Woods, including alongside Jack Nicklaus in February at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida.

Trump has been known to cheat on the golf course, including, reportedly, during previous games with Woods. But Rush Limbaugh, who recently played with the President, says it's all in good fun.

"He picks whoever's playing the best and puts himself on their team, and it may -- he may change teams two or three times in a round. It's just fun," he told Fox News, adding, "It's a faux competition but it's just fun. If somebody hits a bad shot, he just tells them, 'Drop another ball, we're out here having fun.' There's no stress in it."

For his part, Woods defended his friendly relationship with the President, saying he respects the office.

"Well, he's the President of the United States," Woods said, according to Yahoo Sports. "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."</s>Golf legend Tiger Woods, fresh off his epic comeback victory in the Masters, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.

Presenting the golfing great with the nation's highest honor, Trump praised Woods' "relentless will to win, win, win."

"These qualities embody the American spirit of pushing boundaries, defying limits and always striving for greatness," the president said.

Trump congratulated Woods on "your amazing comeback and your amazing life and for giving sports fans a lifetime of memories.

"We can't wait to see what's next, Tiger," he said.

The 43-year-old Woods choked up as he thanked his mother, his two children, his girlfriend and his caddy during the ceremony in the White House Rose Garden.

"You have seen the good and the bad, the highs and the lows," said Woods, who battled back from injury to win the Masters last month, his first major title since the 2008 US Open.

"My dad is no longer here, but my mom is here," Woods said. "I love you, Mom."

"I have tried to hang in there and I have tried to come back and play the great game of golf again," Woods said. "I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to do it again."

He said his Masters victory was "probably the highlight of what I have accomplished so far in my life on the golf course.

"To have had that type of experience and to be able to come out on top and win," he said.

Established by John F. Kennedy in 1963, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is bestowed upon those who have made an "especially meritorious" contribution to US security or national interests, world peace, cultural pursuits or other non-specified endeavors.

It has been awarded to nearly three dozen sports figures including golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, honored by president George W. Bush.

President Barack Obama gave the medal in 2014 to Charlie Sifford, the first African American golfer to play on the PGA Tour.</s>WASHINGTON D.C. -- President Trump awarded Tiger Woods with the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.The award comes weeks after Woods won his fifth Masters Golf title in Augusta. After the win, Pres. Trump tweeted he wants to honor Woods because of his "incredible success and comeback in sports, and more importantly, life."Woods is the fourth pro golfer to receive the medal.</s>If there were a Mount Rushmore for golfers, Tiger Woods would probably be on it. But President Donald Trump's decision to award the nation's highest civilian honor to Woods has raised questions about whether the president should be boosting the profile of a business associate of The Trump Organization.

Trump presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Woods during a White House ceremony Monday evening. The president announced his intention to do so after Woods won the Masters Tournament last month, capping a remarkable recovery from injury and years of personal troubles that had left some wondering whether he would ever win again at the professional level. Woods earned his 15th major golf championship with his Masters win and his 81st overall on the PGA Tour, both ranking second.

Trump understood the importance of the moment to golf and its fans, tweeting that he was awarding Woods the medal because of his "incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE."

Trump has been using Woods' cachet to attract fans to his properties for decades. Trump got Woods to show up at his Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, a day after the golfer's first Masters victory in 1997. The place was mobbed. Two thousand fans showed up as Woods walked down a 320-foot red carpet, some of them storming steel barricades to get a closer look.

Trump has also struck business deals with Woods.

Golfers at Trump's club in Doral, Florida, can stay at the Tiger Woods Villa. At a ribbon cutting ceremony in 2014, Woods lavished praise on the future presidential candidate, calling changes he made to the club "phenomenal."

In Dubai, Woods designed an 18-hole course to be managed by The Trump Organization.

The Trump Organization has "repeatedly demonstrated their ability to successfully manage unique, high-end courses and golf clubs, and this is no exception," Woods said in a 2018 interview in the company's in-house magazine.

Ethics officials have criticized Trump for not selling off his assets completely and holding the money in a blind trust. Instead, he set up a trust to hold his assets, handed day-to-day management responsibilities to two sons and hired an ethics lawyer to vet business deals. Trump can draw money from the trust and can benefit if his properties increase in value.

"You have to ask whether it's his true belief Tiger Woods deserves this award or whether he's doing it to help his business," said Jordan Libowitz, communications director at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning public policy group.

Christopher Devine, an associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton, said Trump may have a business angle.

Still, Devine said, when he stacks up Woods' accomplishments against other recipients, he believes Woods is deserving and calls his Masters victory "the greatest comeback in sports of all time."

"If President Obama or Hillary Clinton had given the award to Tiger, no one would have batted an eye," Devine said.

Woods is the fourth professional golfer to receive the award. President George W. Bush presented the Medal of Freedom to Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Obama presented it to Charlie Sifford, sometimes referred to as the "Jackie Robinson of golf."

Devine also noted that previous presidents have presented the award to supporters and political donors. For example, Obama awarded the Medal of Freedom to Bruce Springsteen, who performed in concerts to support Obama's election efforts. He also awarded it to his vice president, Joe Biden.

The Medal of Freedom is given to individuals who have made "especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors," according to the White House. Presidents have complete discretion over whom they honor with the medal.

Some athletes and sports champions have resisted visiting the Trump White House because of their differences with the president.

Rick Reilly, who wrote a book about Trump's golfing entitled "Commander in Cheat," said Woods has brought golf to people of color all over the world, while Trump has promoted it as a sport for the rich. He said Woods has not been one to stand up on political issues, but should have declined the award in this case.

"I can see how it would be hard to resist, but I still think it's hypocritical to do it," Reilly said.

Associated Press writer Bernard Condon in New York contributed to this report.</s>Tiger Woods received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump Monday in a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden.

On a beautiful sunny spring evening, an emotional and choked-up Woods reached another peak in a comeback for the ages. He is the first active athlete ever to earn the medal.

Woods took the podium to a standing ovation by the crowd after Trump delivered about 15 minutes of introductory remarks lauding Woods’ professional and philanthropic accomplishments.

“This has been an unbelievable experience,” Woods said.

Woods’ victory in Augusta last month capped off “one of the most incredible comebacks that golf, or any sport, has ever seen,” Trump said. “Tiger, we are inspired by everything you’ve become and attained.”

Among those in attendance were Vice President Mike Pence; Tiger’s mother, Kultida Woods; his son, Charlie; his daughter, Sam; his girlfriend, Erica Herman; and his caddie, Joe LaCava. Trump also paid tribute to Woods’ late father, Earl. Trump pointed out LaCava by name for a quick round of applause.

He called Woods “one of the greatest athletes in all of sports … a true legend.” Trump credited Woods with introducing golf to many people around the world.

The president offered a detailed rundown of Woods’ golf biography and timeline, and detailed his medical comeback from his various setbacks. During his introductory speech, Trump offered several detailed examples of Woods’ success on the course.

“We can’t wait to see what’s next Tiger,” Trump said. “There are no winners like you.”

Both Trump and Woods laughed when the president recalled how Woods fell to No. 1191 in the Official World Golf Rankings. Woods is holding steady this week at No. 6.

Woods is the 33rd sports figure and fourth golfer to receive the medal. Arnold Palmer (2004), Jack Nicklaus (2005) and Charlie Sifford (2014) were honored previously.

Woods again Monday called Sifford “the grandfather I never had.” Woods said he named his son in Sifford’s honor.

Sifford, who died in 2015 at the age of 92, began playing golf in an age when much of the nation was still legally segregated. Sifford was the first African-American player to earn a PGA Tour card. After the age of 45, he won Greater Hartford Open Invitational and the Los Angeles Open.

Woods has won 81 PGA Tour events and 15 major championships. Trump announced he would present Woods with the award, the nation’s highest civilian honor the president can bestow, the day after Woods won his fifth Masters last month.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded for “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

Woods and Trump have been frequent golfing partners and have a relationship that pre-dates by nearly 20 years Trump’s run for the presidency.

After Woods won the 1997 Masters at the age of 21, he celebrated his victory in Atlantic City at Trump’s Taj Mahal casino and was photographed with the future president. Trump named a villa in Woods’ honor at Trump National Doral Miami. Woods in 2014 agreed to design a golf course in Dubai for a project that was to be managed by the Trump Organization.

Trump remained loyal to Woods during his multiple personal and professional comebacks.

Woods, meanwhile, has faced criticism for his relationship with Trump. And even more heat for remaining non-partisan when asked about it.

After Woods finished the Northern Trust with a 70 on Aug. 26 last year, he was asked the following question in his post-round press availability.

Woods answered with the following:

Politics aside, the medal ceremony marks another milestone for Woods during what is his most impressive comeback of all.

Woods was arrested in May of 2017 on DUI charges and later completed a pre-trial diversion program and his probation term one month early. The timeline between his fourth Masters victory in 2005 and fifth in 2019 also included four surgeries on his back and four more on his knees, a humiliating public breakup with his ex-wife after a calmatious incident the day after Thanksgiving in 2009, a five-year victory drought on the PGA Tour, reinventing his approach to golf and rebuilding his ability to play.

Before he entered the 2017 Hero World Challenge, Woods had fallen to that 1191 number in the Official World Golf Ranking due to his extended absence from competition.

Woods spent the late winter, spring and summer of 2018 finding his lost swing, extending his endurance on the course and resurrecting his game. His steady-but-unfulfilling run included six top-10 finishes and built to a crescendo at the Tour Championship at East Lake in late September. Woods rolled to a two-shot victory in the PGA Tour’s final event of the 2017-18 calendar on Sept. 23 and savored in the adoration of thousands of spectators as they overflowed onto the fairway and flooded the 18th green.

Woods played in 18 PGA Tour events in 2018, in addition to the Ryder Cup, the Hero World Challenge and his pay-per-view match with Phil Mickelson. He admittedly struggled at the Ryder Cup and would surprisingly lose to Mickelson in their one-on-one event the day after Thanksgiving on the 22nd hole.

Woods said in December he would pare back his schedule in 2019. The Masters was only the sixth event Woods has played on Tour this year. The one-shot victory at Augusta National was the first major victory for Woods since the 2008 U.S. Open and his first green jacket since the one he won in 2005.

He will play again next week in the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. There are never any guarantees when it comes to Woods and his competition schedule. But it is entirely reasonable to see him playing a schedule limited to the PGA Championship, the Memorial, the U.S. Open, the British Open, the WGC event in Memphis and the FedEx Cup playoffs for the rest of the season. Perhaps with one additional event between the U.S. and British Opens to be determined.</s>May 6 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump presented Tiger Woods with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Monday, less than a month after the golf star won his first major championship in more than a decade.

Woods visited the White House with his children, mother and wife to receive the honor.

Trump described the 43-year-old as "one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports."

"He fought all the way back to the summit of golf," the president said. "Tiger, we are inspired by everything you've become."

Three other professional golfers have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Charles Gifford.

Woods referenced the lull he had in his career during Monday's ceremony. Before his April 14 Masters win, his last major championship success was the U.S. Open in 2008.

"I've tried to hang in there, and I've tried to come back and Play the great game of golf again. I've been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to do it again," Woods said.

"I've found a game that's allowed me to do it. The amazing Masters experience I just had a few weeks ago is probably the highlight of what I've accomplished so far in my life on the golf course."
U.S. President Donald Trump awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian awards in the United States, to Tiger Woods for his accomplishments in professional golf and charitable work.