Marcello Hernandez hosts 2026 ESPY Awards

Comedian and "Saturday Night Live" star Marcello Hernández hosted the 2026 ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 15, delivering an opening monologue that included a pointed joke about golfer Tiger Woods. The ceremony, broadcast live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City, honored the past year's top athletic achievements and featured several special award presentations.

During his monologue, Hernández, an avid sports fan, appeared to praise Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams for being featured on the cover of the new "Madden" video game before pivoting to a joke about Woods. "And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of Grand Theft Auto," Hernández said. "I love you, Tiger. I'm a big fan, man. It's just that it was written so well." The quip was widely interpreted as a reference to Woods's recent personal struggles, which have been public. Hernández later offered a semblance of an apology while standing by the quality of the joke's writing. Woods has been focused on his physical and mental recovery and stepped away from professional golf over the past year to prioritize his health.

The evening's festivities, which began at 8 p.m. ET and aired on ABC with...