A tearful Tiger Woods recalled fighting racism as a youth and the support of his parents on Wednesday in an emotional induction ceremony to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Woods was stung by racism when denied access to clubhouses, so he changed shoes in the parking lot.
“You had to be twice as good to get half a chance (so) I made practice so hard, hurt so much, because I want to make sure I was ready come game time.
Woods was hailed for a transcendent career that has seen him capture 15 major titles, second only to the career-record 18 of Jack Nicklaus, and win 82 US PGA Tour titles, level with Sam Snead for the all-time record.
He thanked instructors, caddies, friends and family — many of them in attendance — for the support that helped him turn childhood dreams into a historic sport career.
“I didn’t get here alone,” Woods said. “I had unbelievable parents, mentors and friends who supported me in the darkest of times and celebrated the highest of times.
“It’s actually a team award. All of you allowed me to get here and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“I was not allowed into the clubhouses. The color of my skin dictated that… As I got older that drove me even more.”
While his father taught golf, his Thai mother Kultida infused him with toughness that would serve him well in the decades of competition to come.
Woods said he would not have become a legend “without the sacrifices of mom and dad, who instilled in me this work ethic to fight for what I believe in, to chase after my dreams.”
Woods dominated golf for the next decade, including a run of four consecutive major titles starting at the 2000 US Open and concluding with the 2001 Masters — the “Tiger Slam”.
In all, Woods has won the Masters five times, the PGA Championship four times and the US Open and British Open three times each.
