Tiger Woods' inspiring win earns respect of Pres. Trump and Medal of Freedom

By Mona Austin This year, Pres. Donald Trump, himself an avid golfer, will present the Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods.

Tweeted Pres. Trump, a day after Mr. Woods won his fifth Master title: "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!"

Of the many athletes who have received the medal golfing legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as well as Charles Sifford, the first African-American to play on the PGA Tour included.

Trump has personally shared the green with both Nicklaus and Woods. In 2018, football legend Roger Staubach received the honor along with Dr. Miriam Adelson
Senator Orrin G. Hatch, and Alan C. Page.

On occasion I take editorial privilege to inject a personal perspective into a news story. Something happened that to do that here: One day Tiger Woods crossed my mind and I began to pray for him, myself and others who may have felt defeated personally or publicly.  At the time I was not "prophesying," but I could see that I discerned that if he wanted the title bad enough and worked hard to improve himself holistically Woods would get it again. "IT IS NOT OVER FOR TIGER WOODS NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE SAY," I thought at the time, mainly because he had the courage to start playing again despite being shamed and shunned.  God had already set the course spiritually for his comeback. 

You may not be playing in the Masters and working (INSERT HERE: fighting, fasting, praying, toiling, pressing) to reclaim your title like Tiger Woods.  But, in life you will swing and miss many times. Often, people will witness your failure.  In fact, doubters might count you out of the game for good.  For Woods, it was not easy to clinch his fifth PGA Master title. Wrote Ewan Murray for The Guardian:  "The scene was barely believable. That Woods won his 15th major from the position of behind after 54 holes – something he had not achieved before – hardly registered amid the chaos." 

After the win in a press conference, a very humble Woods said, " It's ironic that I was given a chance to play golf again and lo and behold I win a tournament coming from behind, which I hadn't done for the first 14."

Allow Woods inspiring story to encourage you.  No matter what comes your way, keep the "eye of the tiger," believe in yourself and never give up!  This is the stuff true champions are made of.