Marcello Hernandez made Tiger Woods’ March DUI arrest a punchline while hosting the 2026 ESPY Awards on July 15.
The Saturday Night Live star, 28, worked the golfer into a joke about video game covers during his roughly 10-minute monologue at the David H. Koch Theater in New York.
Hernandez joked that Woods would be on the cover of ‘Grand Theft Auto’ during the show. By: MEGA
Hernandez set up the joke with a reference to Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s featured on the cover of the latest Madden game. “I want to congratulate Caleb Williams… who will be on the cover of the new Madden video game,” Hernandez said, before adding, “And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of Grand Theft Auto.”
The line drew one of the night’s bigger laughs, and Hernandez appeared to soften it immediately afterward. “I love you Tiger. I’m a big fan, man,” he said. “It’s just it was written so well.”
Woods, 50, has stepped away from competitive golf to focus on his health since the March incident. By: MEGA
The joke referred to a crash that happened in Jupiter, Fla., on March 27. Woods, 50, was involved in a two-vehicle rollover and was charged with driving under the influence and property damage, and with refusing a lawful urinalysis test. The charges have not been resolved in court, and Woods has stepped away from competitive golf to focus on his health since the incident.
Woods was not the only target. Hernandez opened by needling boxer Jake Paul, who was in the audience. “It’s an honor to be here among so many great athletes, and Jake Paul,” he said, then teased Paul over his history of fighting older opponents, joking that his own father and stepfather, both over 50, were available instead. Paul was shown laughing and applauding.
Woods was charged with driving under the influence and property damage after a two-vehicle rollover in Jupiter, Fla., on March 27. By: MEGA
Hernandez also went after Bill Belichick. Noting the New York Knicks had won their first NBA championship since 1973, he said that in 1973, “Bill Belichick was the age his girlfriend is now,” a reference to the college football coach and his 25-year-old partner, Jordon Hudson.
He closed the run of roasts with a nod to last year’s ESPYs host, Shane Gillis. Hernandez said Gillis was watching from home “like a true American, on his couch, drinking a beer while a Hispanic guy does his job.”
The ‘Saturday Night Live’ star also needled Jake Paul, Bill Belichick and other guests during his roughly 10-minute monologue. By: MEGA
Hernandez made a boxing-style entrance to open the show, arriving in a robe with Mike Tyson in his corner. “Mike Tyson ripped my watch off. Welcome to the ESPYs,” he joked. He also worked in jokes about Jalen Brunson and the WNBA during the set.
The ESPYs, presented by ESPN, honor the past year in sports. Hernandez, who joined Saturday Night Live in 2022, has become one of the show’s breakout performers.