It was only a matter of time, and the time is now.
The celebration of Tiger Woods’ illustrious career has officially begun.
On Saturday, the United States Golf Association announced it is renaming the U.S. Amateur medal and U.S. Junior Amateur trophy in his honor—now the Tiger Woods Medal and Tiger Woods Trophy.
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“Tiger Woods redefined what was possible in amateur golf,” Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA, said in a statement. “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.”
Before the majors, before the fist pumps and Sunday roars, there was dominance at the junior and amateur levels.
Woods won the U.S. Junior Amateur three consecutive times from 1991-93. Then he did it again at the U.S. Amateur from 1994-96. No one else has ever pulled off three straight in both championships.
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“The USGA and its championships have played an enormous role in my life,” Woods said in a statement. “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.”
Of course, his USGA story didn’t end there.
Woods added three U.S. Open titles—in 2000, 2002 and 2008—bringing his total USGA championship haul to nine and into a tie with Bobby Jones for the most in history.
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Now, every young player who hoists those awards will do so with Woods’ name etched into the hardware—a reminder that amateur golf isn’t just a stepping stone. In his case, it was the beginning of something transformative.
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