Tiger Woods, born Eldrick Tont Woods on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers in history.
His father, Earl Woods, a retired U.S. Army officer and Vietnam War veteran of African-American, Chinese, and Native American descent, introduced him to golf before he turned two, while his mother, Kultida (originally from Thailand, with Thai, Chinese, and Dutch ancestry), supported his early development.
Woods coined the term “Cablinasian” to describe his multi-ethnic background.
As a child prodigy, he appeared on television putting against comedian Bob Hope at age two and won multiple junior championships, including six Junior World Golf Championships between 1984 and 1991.
He attended Stanford University on a golf scholarship, majoring in economics, but left after two years to turn professional.
Amateur Career
Woods dominated amateur golf, becoming the youngest U.S. Junior Amateur champion at age 15 in 1991 and winning the title three consecutive times (1991–1993), a record that still stands as the only three-peat.
He won the U.S. Amateur in 1994 at age 18, the youngest at the time, and repeated in 1995 and 1996, making him the first to win it three times.
At Stanford, he captured the 1996 NCAA individual championship and was named Pac-10 Player of the Year.
He also contributed to the U.S. team’s victory in the 1994 Eisenhower Trophy and competed in the 1995 Walker Cup.
Professional Career
Turning pro in August 1996 at age 20, Woods signed major endorsement deals with Nike ($40 million over five years) and Titleist ($20 million).
He won his first PGA Tour event, the Las Vegas Invitational, in October 1996.
His breakthrough came at the 1997 Masters, where he won by a record 12 strokes at age 21, becoming the youngest champion and the first African-American to win the event.
He ascended to world No. 1 in June 1997, holding the ranking for a record 683 total weeks, including 281 consecutive from 2005 to 2010.
Woods dominated the 2000s, completing the career Grand Slam at age 24 in 2000 (the youngest ever) and achieving the “Tiger Slam” by holding all four majors simultaneously from the 2000 U.S. Open to the 2001 Masters.
He has 82 PGA Tour wins, tying Sam Snead’s all-time record, with his most recent at the 2019 Zozo Championship.
Career challenges included a 2009–2010 hiatus due to personal scandals, multiple back surgeries (2014–2017), and a severe car accident in 2021 that nearly cost him his leg.
He staged comebacks, winning the 2018 Tour Championship after a five-year drought and the 2019 Masters (his 15th major) after an 11-year major gap.
In 2021, he announced his full-time career was over but would play select events.
As of 2025, he has a lifetime exemption to compete in PGA Tour Signature Events.
Major Achievements
Woods holds numerous records, including 11 PGA Player of the Year awards, eight Byron Nelson Awards for lowest scoring average, and the lowest career scoring average on the PGA Tour (68.17).
Here’s a breakdown of his major championships:
Tournament | Wins | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
5 | 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019 | |
4 | 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007 | |
3 | 2000, 2002, 2008 | |
3 | 2000, 2005, 2006 |
He is second all-time in majors (behind Jack Nicklaus’ 18) and has completed the career Grand Slam three times.
Personal Life
Woods married Swedish model Elin Nordegren in 2004; they had two children, daughter Sam Alexis (born 2007) and son Charlie Axel (born 2009), before divorcing in 2010 amid infidelity revelations.
His father, Earl, died in 2006 from cancer, and his mother, Kultida, passed away on February 4, 2025.
In March 2025, Woods went public with his relationship with Vanessa Trump (ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr.), posting on Instagram: “Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side.”
The couple has grown close, with engagement rumours circulating by July 2025, and sources describing their relationship as “very serious” with possible “wedding bells.”
Their children—Woods’ son Charlie and Trump’s daughter Kai—have bonded over golf tournaments.
Charlie, an aspiring golfer, recently competed in the Junior PGA Championship but missed a spot on Team USA.
Controversies
In late 2009, reports of extramarital affairs led to a public scandal, a golf hiatus, and the loss of sponsors like Gatorade and AT&T.
Woods issued a public apology in February 2010.
A 2013 Nike ad slogan (“winning takes care of everything”) drew criticism amid his personal issues.
Business Ventures
Woods has earned over $1.8 billion in career endorsements and prize money, topping the PGA Tour’s all-time money list.
His 27-year Nike partnership ended in January 2024, after which he launched his own apparel line, Sun Day Red, in collaboration with TaylorMade.
He owns a $40 million estate in Jupiter, Florida.
Recent Updates (as of August 2025)
In March 2025, Woods ruptured his Achilles tendon—his 14th major surgery—and underwent successful repair, side-lining him for the rest of the 2025 season.
This forced him to miss majors like the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont and The Open Championship.
Despite the injury, he was reported in “great spirits” by friend Fred Couples.
No return timeline has been set, but speculation about a full-time comeback persists.
Additionally, Woods serves on President Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.
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