St Andrews University has dismissed speculation that it “intentionally ignored” Tiger Woods for an honorary degree this year.
The suggestion was made in a Sunday tabloid in a week when four other well-known golfers are to be awarded such degrees before the Open at St Andrews.
A spokesperson said that nominations for honorary degrees are made by students and staff, and these are considered regularly by a committee of the university senate.
They said, “Mr Woods was not nominated for an honorary degree this year and therefore no case was ever made or considered.
“The university has the greatest respect for Mr Woods’ considerable achievements in golf and his contribution to the sport and the community of St Andrews.”
They added, “We wish him and all his fellow competitors well for the week ahead.”
Woods the winner of the last two Opens at St Andrews in 2000 and 2005 has been at the centre of a series of lurid revelations about his private life since late last year.
The university will hold a graduation ceremony tomorrow at 3pm in the Younger Hall, at which honours will be conferred upon golfers Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Padraig Harrington, and Jim Farmer, along with Johann Rupert, the head of the Swiss luxury group Richemont.