SAN FRANCISCO, December 08, (THEWILL) – The ceremony for the induction of legendary golfer into the sport’s Hall of Fame has been postponed.
Woods was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in March this year and the ceremony for the induction was billed to hold in next year. But, on Monday, the World Golf Foundation announced that the celebration will be delayed until 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 44-year-old, who is a 15-time major winner, will now be honored at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Sawgrass during the 2022 Players Championship. Joining Woods in the Hall of Fame class are Susie Maxwell Berning, who competed under her maiden name Susie Maxwell from 1964-1868; Marion Hollins, an agile golfer and one of the only known female golf course developers in history; and Tim Finchem, American lawyer and retired golf administrator.
Greg McLaughlin, chief executive officer of the World Golf Foundation explained that “moving the ceremony back a year will give us a better opportunity to properly recognise and honor this important class. We look forward to shining a light on their achievements and inspiring future golfers around the world through this ceremony and celebration.”
A rule change that came into effect in 2020, which moved the age requirement from 50 to 45, allowed Woods to became eligible for Hall of Fame election as the Californian-born Woods turns 45 on Wednesday, December 30. The age limit had recently been moved from 40 to 50 just four years ago, but the Hall made the switch as “an effort to ensure the game’s greats from around the world are actively recognised and celebrated.”
Jay Monahan, World Golf Foundation board chairman and PGA Tour commissioner noted that “Recognizing the game’s greatest players and contributors is an important endeavour and one our sport takes very seriously.
“We are committed to regularly evaluating the selection process to ensure we approach it with both historical context and the future in mind.”
