Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

Just days after winning his 15th major championship at Augusta National, Masters champion Tiger Woods has been named to TIME magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ list.

Each person included on the list has a special tribute to them written by a fellow high-profile figure. In Woods’ case, that figure was Justin Timberlake.

The actor/singer, an enthusiastic golfer in his own right, described how he and Woods struck up a friendship last year after talking about their kids.

• Golf fan pockets £1MILLION after Tiger’s win

• WATCH: Andy Murray swaps racquet for driver

• Tiger: “The quest for 18 is back on”

“I told him about how my son, who just turned four, has started to realise what I do,” said ten-time Grammy winner Timberlake. “We bonded over the fact that we wanted our children to watch us at our best. Tiger told me that he hoped his children, who are 11 and 10, would one day see him win a major.

“On April 14 in Augusta, Ga., they did just that when Tiger won his 15th career major – and first in 11 years – capping arguably the greatest comeback in sports history. What a dream come true. For Tiger. For all of us.”

Justin Timberlake

Timberlake added: “While pundits doubted he’d ever win again, Tiger’s commitment never wavered. The thing we don’t always appreciate is the patience. Tiger spent countless hours in the gym, and on the golf course, with a singular goal in mind. All the work he did when people weren’t watching allowed him to hug his children on the same hallowed ground he hugged his father 22 years ago, amid all the adulation, a Masters champion once again.”

• Tiger enjoys rankings bump after Masters win

• Celebs tweet congrats to Woods after Masters win

Woods is one of only four athletes on TIME’s list, along with basketball star LeBron James and footballers Alex Morgan and Mohamed Salah.

It is the second major accolade to come Woods’ way since he won the Masters at the weekend. On Monday, Donald Trump announced he was making him the fourth golfer recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.


author headshot

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship