Congratulations; Tiger Woods honored with USGA’s most prestigious award

The USGA recently honored Tiger Woods with the prestigious Bob Jones Award, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to golf. With 15 major championship victories and 82 PGA Tour wins, Woods has left an indelible mark on the sport, transcending generations. USGA CEO Mike Whan emphasized that the award acknowledges more than just playing prowess—it celebrates Woods’ enduring influence on the game’s future. In his statement, Woods expressed gratitude for being recognized alongside Bob Jones, a figure synonymous with integrity in golf. Despite recent injury setbacks, Woods continues to captivate audiences with his comeback on the PGA Tour.

Reflecting on the rich history of the Bob Jones Award, it’s a testament to the giants of the sport who have left an indelible mark on golf. From Francis Ouimet in 1955 to Johnny Miller in 2023, each recipient has contributed to the sport’s legacy in their own unique way. Notable winners include Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Ben Hogan, whose names are synonymous with golfing excellence.

Here’s a chronological overview of past recipients of the Bob Jones Award:

1955 — Francis Ouimet
1956 — William C. Campbell
1957 — Mildred D. Zaharias
1958 — Margaret Curtis
1959 — Findlay S. Douglas
1960 — Charles Evans Jr.
1961 — Joseph B. Carr
1962 — Horton Smith
1963 — Patty Berg
1964 — Charles Coe
1965 — Glenna Collett Vare
1966 — Gary Player
1967 — Richard S. Tufts
1968 — Robert B. Dickson
1969 — Gerald H. Micklem
1970 — Roberto de Vicenzo
1971 — Arnold Palmer
1972 — Michael Bonallack
1973 — Gene Littler
1974 — Byron Nelson
1975 — Jack Nicklaus
1976 — Ben Hogan
1977 — Joseph C. Dey Jr.
1978 — Bing Crosby & Bob Hope
1979 — Tom Kite
1980 — Charles Yates
1981 — JoAnne Carner
1982 — William J. Patton
1983 — Maureen Ruttle Garrett
1984 — R. Jay Sigel
1985 — Fuzzy Zoeller
1986 — Jess Sweetser
1987 — Tom Watson
1988 — Isaac B. Grainger
1989 — Chi Chi Rodriguez
1990 — Peggy Kirk Bell
1991 — Ben Crenshaw
1992 — Gene Sarazen
1993 — P.J. Boatwright Jr.
1994 — Lewis Oehmig
1995 — Herbert Warren Wind
1996 — Betsy Rawls
1997 — Fred Brand Jr.
1998 — Nancy Lopez
1999 — Edgar Updegraff
2000 — Barbara McIntire
2001 — Thomas Cousins
2002 — Judy Rankin
2003 — Carol Semple Thompson
2004 — Jackie Burke Jr.
2005 — Nick Price
2006 — Jay Haas
2007 — Louise Suggs
2008 — George H.W. Bush
2009 — O. Gordon Brewer Jr.
2010 — Mickey Wright
2011 — Lorena Ochoa
2012 — Annika Sorenstam
2013 — Davis Love III
2014 — Payne Stewart
2015 — Barbara Nicklaus
2016 — Judy Bell
2017 — Bob Ford
2018 — Dennis Walters
2019 — Lee Elder
2020 — Se Ri Pak
2021 — Robert C. Lewis Jr.
2022 — Juli Inkster
2023 — Johnny Miller