Heartwarming act of respect for Tiger Woods as golfers don iconic outfits

There was red and black everywhere at golf tournaments as players showed their support for Tiger Woods after his horror car crash.

Jason Day had the full Tiger outfit going. Black pants, red turtle neck tee and a black hat.

Rory McIlroy also went full Tiger, wearing red and black for the first time in his career, as a mass of PGA Tour players donned the golfing GOAT’s traditional Sunday outfit to pay tribute to the 15-time major champion as he continues to recover from horrific leg injuries suffered in a car crash last week.

Phil Mickelson, a long-time on and off course sparring partner for Woods, went and bought a red shirt to play in the Champions Tour event to show his respect.

Even the ground staff at the Concession Club in Florida, where the $13m Workday Championships were being held, went black and red to show their support to Woods as the event’s winner, Colin Morikawa said “we don’t day thank-you enough to Tiger, so thank-you”.

Woods took to Twitter to say how much it meant to him, the first time he’s spoken since his crash.

“It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts. To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time,” he said.

It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts. To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 1, 2021

McIlroy said it was a way for the players to let Woods know “that we’re thinking about him and we’re rooting for him”.

The former world number one said golf would be in a “worse place” if not for Woods who is recovering from two surgeries to repair a shattered ankle and two broken legs sustained when his car left the road at speed and rolled over in Los Angeles.

“Obviously things are looking a little better today than they were on Tuesday, but he’s still got aways to go,” McIlroy said after finishing in a tie for sixth.

“He’s got a huge recovery ahead of him. But I think just for everyone to show their appreciation for what he means to us out here.

“If there was no Tiger Woods, there would be -- I just think the Tour and the game of golf in general would be in a worse place. He’s meant a lot to us, he still does mean a lot to us and I think that was just a little way to show that.”

Justin Thomas, a close friend and neighbour of Woods, said it was “important for him to feel some kind of support” as he stares at a long recovery from

“There’s not much we can do for him. I think this shows support to him,” Thomas said.

Seemed fitting for tomorrow after the kind of week we’ve had... Black and red on Sunday for TW! pic.twitter.com/TOUcWnUf1p

— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) February 28, 2021

“It’s not something that’s going to happen every week, it’s not something that people are doing every day, but obviously Sunday’s a pretty special day for him and what he’s wearing and just seemed like a great chance that people had the opportunity to do it.”

It’s a ⁦@TigerWoods⁩ Sunday for the maintenance staff at the ⁦@PuertoRicoOpen⁩. ⁦@PGATOUR⁩ pic.twitter.com/OheyF4o1N8

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) February 28, 2021

Day, who has credited Woods with helping him on more than one occasion, said it was out of “respect”.

“Obviously, just paying respect to Tiger,” the Aussie said.

“Obviously, we hope for the best in wishing him a very quick recovery, just to know that we’re thinking about him.”

For Tiger. pic.twitter.com/UmAGYMRMpP

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 28, 2021

Tony Finau said the players “miss” Woods, who in recent years opened himself up to his fellow tour pros a lot more and has become close to many.

“Yeah, I mean, I was pretty inspired. I for sure felt like it would just be a nice touch,” he said.

“We‘ve enjoyed so many Sundays watching Tiger do his thing. Red and black, we know that’s what Tiger does on Sundays, so to just join in and just let Tiger know we’re supporting him in the best way we can. We’re still playing and we miss him out here, but it was cool just to be a part of that today.”

Over the weekend Woods was moved to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, which caters for professional athletes at its sports medicine institute that has a renowned rehabilitation program for sports-related and orthopaedic injuries.

“Tiger has moved to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre and received follow-up procedures on his injuries this morning. The procedures were successful, and he is now recovering and in good spirits,” a statement on Woods’ Twitter account said.

“Tiger and his family want to thank you all for the wonderful support and messages they have received over the past few days. We will not have any further updates at this time. Thank you for your continued privacy.”

A birdie in Sunday red. 🔴@McIlroyRory is just two shots back.#QuickHitspic.twitter.com/gX79T4yAXf

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 28, 2021