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Tiger Woods tearfully remembers parents' struggle as he's inducted into Golf Hall of Fame

'You need to earn it. So that defined my upbringing. That defined my career,' Woods said about his parents

Tiger Woods became emotional as he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Wednesday, March 9. The legendary golfer was introduced to the podium by his 14-year-old daughter, Sam Alexis Woods, who called him “a fighter”.

The teenager also said of her father, “You've defied the odds every time - being the first Black and Asian golfer to win a majors, being able to win your fifth Masters after back surgeries, and being able  to walk just a few months after your crash. Dad, I inducted you into the Dad Hall of Fame a long time ago, but today, I am so proud to present my dad, Tiger Woods, into the World Golf Hall of Fame.”

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Woods then thanked his friends and family along with instructors and caddies for their support throughout his career during the ceremony at PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He began, “I didn't get here alone. I had unbelievable parents, mentors and friends who supported me in the darkest of times and celebrated the highest of times.”

He went on to say: “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,” before mentioning how he faced racism because of his skin color. The 46-year-old noted, “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. I was not allowed into the clubhouses. The color of my skin dictated that... As I got older that drove me even more.”

Woods also mentioned that without his parents, he would not be able to “fight for what I believe in, to chase after my dreams,” as he added: “Nothing is ever going to be given to you. Everything is going to be earned. If you don't go out and put in the work, the effort, one you're not going to get the results and two, and more important, you don't deserve it. You didn't earn it.”

One of the greatest golfers of all time also broke down remembering the time when his mother and late father had to take out a second mortgage on their home so that he could play the junior circuit in California. In 1997, Woods became the first Black and Asian player to win a major at the Masters and since then he never looked back despite the controversies that embroiled him from time to time.

Twitter was also praising Woods with a fan tweeting, “What ever anyone says about him (mostly based on tabloid crap) he is a living legend and helped bring golf to a far bigger audience. He was and is one of the few stars of any sport that tracends the sport itself.” The second one wrote, “I got to know him in Dubai over 5 years and can honestly say he comes over as a well mannered individual who was brought up well by his parents. Like all of us he's flawed but what he's given to golf and how he's elevated his sport like no other is memorable and historic.”

A tweet read, “Tiger was my golf idol from the beginning when I was 9 y/o and it’s no wonder why.  I admire his philosophy of earning everything that comes to you.” “Wow! Such an emotional and heartfelt speech. Tiger Woods you have much more to offer the Golf world. We love you, respect your drive and honor your accomplishments!” another tweet mentioned.