USGA bestows huge honors on Tiger Woods by naming two top amateur prizes for him
Tiger Woods kisses the trophy after winning the 1996 U.S. Amateur at Pumpkin Ridge.
Robert Beck
Tiger Woods and Bobby Jones are considered to have forged the greatest amateur careers of all-time, and the USGA is recognizing Woods’ dominance in a fitting way. Starting this year, the U.S. Amateur medal and U.S. Junior Amateur trophy will carry Woods’ name, the USGA announced on Saturday at its annual meetings that are being held in New York.
Woods and Jones hold the record for most USGA championships with nine each, and Woods went on a tear in which he captured three straight U.S. Juniors from 1991-93 and then won three consecutive U.S. Ams from 1994-96. He is the only golfer to pull off that six-win streak.
“Tiger Woods redefined what was possible in amateur golf,” Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA, said in a press release. “His achievements as a junior and amateur didn’t just set records—they set a new standard of excellence. Naming our U.S. Amateur medal and U.S. Junior Amateur trophy in his honor ensures that every future champion is forever connected to a legacy that helped shape the modern game.”
The first Woods medal will be presented at the U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club, outside of Philadelphia, and the first trophy will be won at the U.S. Junior at Saucon Valley Country Club, near Allentown, Pa. Both awards will be redesigned in Woods’ honor.
“The USGA and its championships have played an enormous role in my life,” Woods, 50, said in the release. “The U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur were defining moments in my development, both as a golfer and as a person. To be recognized in this way is incredibly humbling, and I hope it inspires young players to chase their dreams and appreciate the history and values of the game.”
Following his amateur career, Woods won three U.S. Open titles that count among his 15 major wins.
There are three other golfers who have USGA competitive awards named for them: the U.S. Open medal named for Jack Nicklaus; the U.S. Women’s Open medal named for Mickey Wright; and the U.S. Women’s Amateur medal named for JoAnne Carner. The Bob Jones Award is the USGA's highest honor, bestowed on those who "demonstrate the spirit, personal character and respect for the game."