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Tiger Woods has played golf with presidents, prime ministers, athletes and celebrities.

His most memorable moment mingling with the world’s leaders and elites came 20 years ago – but wasn’t a round of golf at all.

Woods had the opportunity to meet and talk to Nelson Mandela when playing in South Africa 1998.

And it remains a seminal moment in his life two decades later.

“I remember my dad and I went to his home had a great lunch with him. That was one of the most important moments in my life because I got a chance to meet someone I thoroughly revered and looked up to,” Woods told Golf.com.

“From all the things he had to endure, he came out with a great ability to lead an entire country — unify them. That to me is more special than any round I’ve ever played.”

When Mandela died in 2005, Woods spoke on his passing.

“It’s a sad day for everyone around the world,” he said.