Thankful Woods enters Hall of Fame: ‘I didn’t get here alone’

TORONTO: Tiger Woods, who inspired a generation of players with his other worldly talent, charisma and staggering success, took his place among the game’s greats on Wednesday as he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

During a ceremony at PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Woods delivered a speech about his career and those who helped him along the way after his 14-year-old daughter Sam introduced him for induction.

Woods, 46, got emotional as he recounted the time his parents took out a second mortgage on their house — one that he would later pay off — so that he, at the age of 14, could compete on the American Junior Golf Association circuit.

“You have to understand I got to this position because of my upbringing, having two unbelievable parents,” said Woods. “I know that golf is an individual sport, we do things on our own a lot, for hours on end, but in my case I didn’t get here alone.

“I have unbelievable parents, mentors and friends who ... supported me in the toughest of times, darkest of times and celebrated the highest of times.”

A handful of fellow PGA Tour players who are all competing in The Players Championship starting on Thursday were in attendance, including Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

Woods was inducted alongside 11-time LPGA winner Susie Maxwell Berning, former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and the late Marion Hollins, who broke barriers as one of the few female developers of golf courses in the sport’s history.

Ever since Woods appeared on television’s Mike Douglas Show at the age of two displaying his raw putting skills alongside Bob Hope, he has been expected to produce the remarkable.

The American, whose career is on hold as he recovers from serious leg