Tiger Woods Pays Tribute to Legendary NBC Broadcaster Dan Hicks Following His Death

Tiger Woods issued a statement on Friday honoring the career and character of Dan Hicks, the veteran NBC Sports broadcaster who died Wednesday at age 64 following an acute illness.

Woods, a 15-time major champion, remembered Hicks as a “great friend” who exerted a profound influence on the sport of golf for decades.

Dan Hicks was beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him. His kindness, warmth, and presence will be deeply missed. Like so many in the golf world, Dan was a great friend to me both on and off the course. I had the utmost respect for him and the… https://t.co/1Pf8YFF5hT

— Post by @TigerWoods on X

“Dan Hicks was beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him,” Woods wrote in a statement released on social media. “Like so many in the golf world, Dan was a great friend to me both on and off the course. I had the utmost respect for him and the incredible job he did for our sport for decades.”

The news of Hicks’ passing prompted a wave of tributes across the sports landscape, reflecting a career that spanned 34 years at NBC Sports. Before the afternoon round of the Austin Championship on Friday, Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis held a moment of silence to commemorate the announcer.

According to Bleacher Report, Woods specifically expressed hope that Hicks’ wife, Hannah Storm, and their three daughters—Hannah, Ellery, and Riley—find comfort in the widespread recognition of his professional and personal impact.

Hicks joined NBC in 1992 and transitioned into the role of lead play-by-play announcer for golf in 2000. His career was defined by a steady, measured delivery during high-stakes moments, including his iconic call of Woods’ birdie putt on the 18th hole at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, where he famously asked, “Expect anything different?”

The versatility of Hicks’ career extended well beyond the fairway. As reported by NBC Sports, he handled play-by-play duties for 15 Olympic Games, covering eight in swimming—including Michael Phelps’ historic run in Beijing—and four in Alpine skiing. He also served as the play-by-play voice for Notre Dame football this fall, while also calling NBA and NFL games throughout his tenure.

Dan Hicks, Johnny Miller — Photo: NBC Sports

The loss has been felt deeply by his colleagues. In a CBS Sports report, the network’s chairman Sean McManus described Hicks as “an integral part of some of the most iconic sporting events of the last three decades” and “a true gentleman in every way.”

NBC Sports executives Rick Cordella, Sam Flood, and Molly Solomon issued a joint statement noting that Hicks was an “exceptional storyteller” who elevated the biggest moments in sports history.

On Thursday night, the sentiment moved beyond the golf course. As noted by Fox News, Al Michaels delivered an emotional tribute during the broadcast of the Washington Commanders’ victory over the New York Giants. Michaels, who has worked alongside many of the industry’s greats, paused during his play-by-play duties to acknowledge the shock of the news and offer condolences to the Hicks family.

The PGA Tour underscored the tactical nature of Hicks’ broadcast style in its own statement, noting his ability to guide viewers through the “tension and unpredictability of a final round” during his long partnership with analyst Johnny Miller. His death marks a significant shift in the broadcasting booth, leaving a void in the coverage of major championships and the evolution of the FedExCup.

The family has requested privacy during this time, with Storm sharing that Hicks was a “devoted husband of over 30 years” and a “loving father” who brought energy and laughter into any room he entered. The golf world remains in a period of transition as it processes the absence of a voice that served as the soundtrack to the sport’s most memorable moments for nearly three decades.

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