Tiger Woods and Tim Finchem, whose career paths paralleled in different capacities on the PGA Tour, are among the nominees for the World Golf Hall of Fame class of 2021, announced on Tuesday by the 26-member nominating committee.
Woods, who turned pro in 1996 and went on to win 82 tournaments and 15 major championship to become an international sports superstar, led a nominating list of male competitors that also includes three-time major champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland, 16-time PGA Tour winner and 1973 Open champion Tom Weiskopf and 22-time PGA Tour winner and 1928 U.S. Open champion Johnny Farrell.
Finchem succeeded Deane Beman as commissioner of the PGA Tour two years before Woods turned pro. He presided over stunning increases in purses and TV broadcast rights, launched the World Golf Championships and the FedEx Cup points race and playoffs and oversaw the completion of Beman's last projects, the World Golf Hall of Fame, the World Golf Village and the World Golf Foundation.
Finchem and Woods also were instrumental in launching The First Tee, the World Golf Foundation initiative that makes golf accessible and affordable to youth. The First Tee has served 3.8 million children and youth with not only golf but life skills training and academic support.
Finchem also led renovation projects for the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course, renovation of the TPC clubhouse and further enhancements of the Tour's marquee event.
Joining Finchem in the "Contributor" category is Marion Hollins, an amateur golfer, teacher and architect.
Four players were nominated in the female competitor category, led by 19-time LPGA winner and two-time major champion Sandra Palmer. Dottie Pepper (17 victories, two majors), Beverly Hanson (17 victories, three majors) and Susie Maxwell Berning (11 victories, four majors) are also on the list.
The selection committee, composed of 20 Hall of Fame members, media representatives and leaders of golf governing bodies, will make the final selections, with each nominee required to get 15 votes (75 percent).
