Imagine heading down to Torrey Pines Golf Course covering the 2006 Buick Invitational and standing a few feet behind Tiger Woods coming out on top in a three-way playoff. Now imagine that being one of your first assignments as a USA Today golf writer. This was how Steve DiMeglio met Woods for the first time – the start of a decades-long bond of trust away from cameras, microphones, notepads, and what have you: “You had to earn it, and he had to like you.” As simple as that: All fairness and no cheap shots. But as memorable as watching the now-15-time major winner was in person, that wasn’t the memory DiMeglio resonated with the most…

Interestingly, though, the one that stands tall above all else had three things in common with that 2006 trip to California: Torrey Pines, a playoff, and Tiger Woods winning the playoff.

It was the 2008 US Open. For Steve DiMeglio, in 16 years of covering the sport, no feeling has come close to watching Woods (with an injured knee) sink a 12-foot birdie putt at the final hole of regulation to force a playoff against Rocco Mediate, winning that, and hearing the cheers that followed. “The earth moved,” the legendary writer said. “Tiger made the earth move. It hits you right in the heart, in the gut, and in the ears.” Unfortunately, though, DiMeglio hasn’t been as involved in the golf world as he would’ve wanted in the past two years, owing to his rectal cancer diagnosis in 2022. On Wednesday, DiMeglio made an appearance in Albany to cover Woods as he has done many times. But before that, he and the 15-time major champion shared a sweet moment.

Just as the tournament’s host dropped off from the golf cart to enter the press area, Steve DiMeglio was waiting at the door to greet him and held the door open. He jokingly told him, “I came all the way down here to hold this door for you, big man.” Woods was also elated to see DiMeglio as he hugged and asked him with a wide smile, “What’s up, big boy?” There were also a few words of encouragement about DiMeglio’s health as the PGA Tour star said,

“You look good, dude; come on!” and urged him to go inside… it was now Woods’ turn to hold the door for his long-time friend. Woods jokingly told DiMeglio, “Get your a– in here, get in here.” This fun relationship banter between Woods and DiMeglio was captured by the PGA Tour and posted on Instagram. “The tournament host greets longtime friend and golf writer Steve DiMeglio, who has been battling cancer,” the caption read.

On July 28, 2022 – just 5 days after he turned 61 – DiMeglio tweeted, “I’ve written better posts: I have Stage 4 rectal cancer that spread to my liver. Am speaking to docs manana for course of action (chemo for sure). Time to dig in and fight.” That’s what he’s been doing. He may have been on disability since September 2022, but the golf world has rallied in support of him ever since. And one of the loudest voices has been Tiger Woods. Interestingly, the Hero World Challenge made for a wholesome reunion between him and Steve 12 months ago as well!

At the press conference at his tournament in the Bahamas, Woods noticed Steve DiMeglio in the crowd of media. What did he do next? After the presser ended, he headed straight to the reporter and hugged him. That was the first time they met in 16 months! But coming back to their meeting this year, watching Woods recover from his surgery and supporting DiMeglio melted golf fans’ hearts just as they loved Phil Mickelson’s gesture in November. Last month, Mickelson shared DiMeglio’s inspiring story on X:

“Steve is one of the best people in the game of golf. What he’s going through is brutal and yet he is so inspiring. Let’s continue to pray for him and learn from his message. The best way to beat cancer is to catch it early.” He asked everyone to pray for his faster recovery. Mickelson’s wish came off as personal. He knows the plight that cancer brings; he has seen his wife, Amy, endure it.

As for the PGA Tour’s post, retired Michelle Wie West commented, “Steveee❤️,” showing her admiration. Steve DiMeglio is proof of how straying away from biased journalism and stirring controversies can result in not just closer relationships with professional athletes but also respectful ones. After all, that’s how he developed a connection with Woods. “You want to have access to the most important figure in the game,” he revealed, adding, “That was a big thing for me.

“A lot of it is just fairness. We didn’t take cheap shots. I was just fortunate I could make him laugh. I could give him the needle and he could give it back to me, mostly about my height. He’s done my height a lot.” This playful banter was evident when the two met once again at the Hero World Challenge this year. And considering how DiMeglio has stuck to his values throughout his career, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that numerous PGA Tour pros have shown him their support as he battles cancer.

Rory McIlroy stands with DiMeglio, just as Tiger Woods did

Steve DiMeglio’s health is sometimes up, but most of the time, he struggles with pain all around his body, losing or regaining taste buds, and the stomach is always acting up. In October, he was taking Pepto Bismol to aid his discomfort, and it worked, but only to return. During those days, DiMeglio received a care package that helped him a lot.

After the Genesis Scottish Open, Rory McIlroy and his agent, Sean O’Flaherty, sent signed Genesis Scottish Open, McIlroy’s gloves, and the bike polo to DiMeglio. Expressing his gratefulness for the Northern Irishman’s gesture, the golf reporter posted on X and admiringly said, “A bad day healthwise got a major boost with a care package from ⁦@McIlroyRory. He and his agent/friend Sean are two of the best. Serious spirit booster. Onward…”

Before sending this package, the 4-time major winner also shared a few words of encouragement in 2022 as many other PGA Tour pros came forward to support DiMeglio. McIlroy said, “We’re pulling for you. We’re fighting alongside you. We all wish you the best on this journey, but we just want you to remember that we’re all thinking of you.” As pros like Tiger Woods, McIlroy, Mickelson, and others try to boost Steve DiMeglio through this tough journey, hopefully, he will come out the other side victorious!