Photos: President Trump awards highest U.S. civilian honor to Tiger Woods

President Donald Trump awarded Masters champion and golfing buddy Tiger Woods the Medal of Freedom on Monday evening in a Rose Garden ceremony the athlete's new girlfriend also attended.
President Donald Trump awarded Masters champion and golfing buddy Tiger Woods the Medal of Freedom on Monday evening in a Rose Garden ceremony
The president said that Woods, 43, is 'one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports' and has inspired people worldwide with his barrier-breaking victories, capped by a comeback at this year's tournament. 'He's also a great person. He's a great guy,' Trump declared. 'He inspired millions of young Americans with his thrilling wire-to-wire victories. Tiger Woods is a global symbol of american excellence, devotion, and drive.' The first African-American to win the Masters and the youngest golfer to take the title, Woods won his first major tournament in 11 years in April after suffering severe injuries that threatened to end his career forever. Woods cried at the White House as he talked about his late father and spoke about his 'amazing' comeback this year and the'unbelievable experience' of winning the award in front his mother, children, caddy, girlfriend Erica Herman, the president and first lady Melania Trump. 'You've seen the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, and I would not be in this position without all your help,' he told his family. 'I've battled, I try to hang in there, and I've tried to come back and play the great game of golf again.'
The president said that Woods, 43, is 'one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports' and has inspired people worldwide with his barrier-breaking victories, capped by a comeback at this year's tournament
Girlfriend Erica Herman, sits with Tiger Woods' daughter Sam, 11, and son Charlie 10, before he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor
The first African-American to win the Masters and the youngest golfer to take the title, Woods won his first major tournament in 11 years in April after suffering severe injuries that threatened to end his career forever
Golfer Tiger Woods walks with his girlfriend Erica Herman from the Rose Garden into the Oval Office of the White House
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Tiger Woods pose for a picture with, from left, Woods' girlfriend Erica Herman, his mother Kultida Woods, children Sam Alexis Woods and Charlie Axel Woods in the Rose Garden of the White House
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump followed by Sam Alexis Woods walk towards the Oval Office after awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to famed golfer Tiger Woods
President Trump also noted that Woods has 81 PGA tour victories under his belt - one victory behind the all-time record
A medal and a shoulder massage? Trump pauses after putting the Medal of Freedom around Woods' neck
Golf legend Tiger Woods walks back to the Oval Office with his girlfriend Erica Herman on Monday evening
Woods took to Instagram after the ceremony and wrote: '¿It¿s an incredible privilege to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Considering the recipients, history, and what this means to me and my family, it¿s also very humbling. Thank you all for your support and I hope this inspires others to never give up on their dreams'
Last month, Woods shocked the world with 'one of the most incredible comebacks that golf or any sport as ever seen,' winning the Masters, Trump recalled on Monday


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