Tiger Woods joined the chorus of commemoration on New Year’s Day after it was revealed that longtime PGA Tour writer Steve DiMeglio had succumbed to his battle with cancer at the age of 63.“Unfortunately the golf world lost part of our family today, beloved golf writer Steve DiMeglio,” Woods wrote Wednesday in a post to X.“I was always very close to Steve and we texted and talked about how he needed to keep fighting to get better so we could see each other in the Bahamas last month.
And we did.I am so grateful for that. “This is a very sad day for all of golf,” the 15-time major winner concluded.
“We have truly lost a friend.”DiMeglio died peacefully in his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., according to reports.He had undergone dozens of chemotherapy treatments since his diagnosis in 2022, and his appearance last month at the Hero World Challenge was nothing short of miraculous.Cameras captured the moment Woods, 49, greeted his longtime friend at the tournament in the Bahamas.“I came all the way down here to hold the door open for you, big man,” DiMeglio can be heard saying in a video shared by the PGA Tour’s X account as Woods embraced him.DiMeglio began experiencing pain in his right side shortly after the Open Championship in 2022.Doctors took blood samples and performed an examination, which revealed a mass: Stage 4 rectal cancer. By the time it was discovered, DiMeglio said the cancer had already spread to his liver, colon and stomach. The veteran USA Today journalist documented his battle throughout the ensuing two years.
He was active on X up until his final days, regularly interacting with fans and followers alike.“Steve, we don’t know each other at all but I wanted to let you know your attitude and outlook are such an inspiration to so many people,” one admirer wrote on Dec.19.
“Wishing you all the best in 2025 and far beyond!”“Crying and feeling sorry for myself were not options,” DiMeglio responded later that day....