Tiger Woods pays tribute to Charlie Sifford, the PGA Tour's first African-American player
Wednesday 4 February 2015 18:52, UK
Tiger Woods has paid tribute to Charlie Sifford – the first African-American to play on the PGA Tour – who died on Tuesday aged 92.
Sifford broke golf's colour barrier when he was allowed to play on the PGA tour from 1961, with Tiger Woods often crediting Sifford for paving the way for his own golfing path.
Woods, who affectionally referred to Sifford as a grandparent, tweeted: "Terrible loss for golf and me personally. My grandfather is gone and we all lost a brave, decent and honorable man. I'll miss u Charlie."
The two-time PGA Tour winner recently suffered a stroke, with the PGA of America president Derek Spreague calling him "an uncommon and faithful servant".
As well as being the first African American to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004, Sifford was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom last November.
In a statement, US President Barack Obama said: "Michelle and I offer our condolences on the passing of golf legend Charlie Sifford. Charlie was the first African-American to earn a PGA tour card - often facing indignity and injustice even as he faced the competition.
"Though his best golf was already behind him, he proved that he belonged, winning twice on tour and blazing a trail for future generations of athletes in America.
"I was honored to award Charlie the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year for altering the course of the sport and the country he loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and his fans."
Sifford, who became a pro golfer after serving in the US Army in World War II, serving in the bloody battle for Okinawa, became the first black golfer on the US PGA Tour in the 1960s and won two tour events, the 1967 Greater Hartford Open and 1969 Los Angeles Open.
