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Tiger Woods to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom on Monday in White House ceremony

May 02, 2019
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Chris Condon

The green jacket is going to the White House. And for this public appearance with the coveted coat, we're guessing Tiger Woods will wear something other than gym shorts.

Woods is scheduled to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump during Rose Garden ceremony on Monday, according to White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders. News of the ceremony was first reported on Wednesday night by The Wall Street Journal. The 15-time major champ accepted the invitation after winning his fifth Masters title last month.

Following that victory, which ended a near 11-year-drought in the majors, President Trump tweeted he had personally congratulated Woods on the win and that he planned to present him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Woods would be the 33rd athlete to receive the honor and the fourth golfer, joining Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Charlie Sifford.

The sitting President inviting a champion athlete or team to the White House is a longstanding tradition. However, there have been several to turn down invites from President Trump, including most recently the University of Virginia men's basketball team.

Trump and Woods last played golf together in February. Woods is also designing the golf course at Trump World Golf Club Dubai, which is scheduled to open later this year.

Woods has been laying low since his Masters win. His was spotted in public for the first time wearing the green jacket at his Jupiter, Fla., restaurant two weeks ago while also wearing sneakers and Oakland Raiders shorts. He didn't enter this week's Wells Fargo Championship, a tournament he usually plays, and likely won't compete again until the PGA Championship (May 16-19) at Bethpage Black.