By: @OOSSports
Marcello Hernández wasted little time testing the limits during his opening monologue at the 2026 ESPY Awards.
The Saturday Night Live standout targeted several prominent athletes during the ceremony, but his sharpest punchline came at the expense of Tiger Woods.
Hernández initially appeared ready to celebrate Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams after the young star landed the cover of the newest Madden video game. Instead, the comedian used the setup to deliver an unexpected shot at one of golf’s most recognizable figures.
Awful Announcing shared the moment Tuesday night on X, formerly Twitter, when shots were fired at the legendary golfer.
“I want to congratulate Caleb Williams, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, who will be on the cover of the new ‘Madden’ video game…
“And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of ‘Grand Theft Auto.’ I love you, Tiger. I’m a big fan, man. It’s just that it was written so well.”
The joke immediately drew a strong reaction from the audience and quickly circulated across social media.
Hernández appeared to recognize the severity of the punchline almost immediately. He softened the moment by telling Woods that he remained a fan and explaining that the joke was simply too well-written to leave out of the monologue.
Still, the comment carried an obvious edge.
The Grand Theft Auto reference appeared to point toward Woods’ highly publicized off-course troubles, turning a routine awards-show setup into one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
Hernández’s delivery also added to the impact. He began with what sounded like straightforward praise for Williams before changing direction and catching the audience off guard.
That type of misdirection has become one of Hernández’s strengths during his rise on Saturday Night Live. His energy, timing, and willingness to push a joke beyond the expected line made him a natural choice to host the ESPYs.
However, the Woods punchline also prompted debate over whether the joke went too far.
The legendary golfer has spent much of the past year focused on his physical and mental recovery while remaining away from regular competition. That context made the joke feel harsher to some viewers, even within the traditionally loose boundaries of an awards-show monologue.
Hernández accomplished exactly what every opening monologue aims to do. He created tension, surprised the audience, and gave viewers an immediate topic to discuss.
The comedian may have praised Williams first, but it was Woods who became the center of one of the ESPYs’ most viral moments.