Tiger Woods receives Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump

Tiger Woods, professional golfer and co-founder of the Tiger Woods Foundation, speaks during a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, May 6, 2019. U.S. President Donald Trump announced his plans to bestow the nations highest civilian honor upon Woods after he won this years Masters Tournament, his first major title in more than a decade. Photographer: Alex Edelman/Bloomberg via Getty Images

President Donald Trump on Monday awarded the highest civilian honour in the U.S – the Presidential Medal of Freedom – to golf star Tiger Woods.

Trump described Woods as “one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports,” adding that “he’s also a great person. He’s a great guy.

“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,” Trump added.

Trump continued: “We can’t wait to see what’s next, Tiger. There are no winners like you.”

Woods, 43, who was the first African-American, as well as the youngest golfer to win the Masters, won his fifth title in April after dealing with personal and professional adversity, thus ending an almost 11-year wait for a title.

Woods, in his speech, told his family: “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. I’ve battled, I try to hang in there, and I’ve tried to come back and play the great game of golf again.”

In a tweet, Woods said: “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.”

See more photos below:

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, speaks as Tiger Woods, professional golfer and co-founder of the Tiger Woods Foundation, smiles during a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, May 6, 2019. Trump announced his plans to bestow the nations highest civilian honor upon Woods after he won this years Masters Tournament, his first major title in more than a decade. Photographer: Alex Edelman/Bloomberg via Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 6 : President Donald J. Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Eldrick Tiger Woods in the Rose Garden at the White House on Monday, May 06, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)