Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tiger Woods
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tiger Woods made an impact.
Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer, considered one of the greatest of all time. He is tied for first in PGA Tour wins, second in men's major championships, and holds numerous golf records. Woods is an inductee of the World Golf Hall of Fame and is one of the most famous athletes in modern history.
1993: Woods Begins Working with Butch Harmon
In mid-1993, Tiger Woods began working with swing coach Butch Harmon while still an amateur.
1994: Missing the Masters
In March 2014, Tiger Woods announced that he would miss the Masters tournament for the first time since 1994, after undergoing back surgery.
August 1996: Turned Professional
In August 1996, at age 20, Tiger Woods turned professional and signed lucrative advertising deals with Nike, Inc. and Titleist.
1996: Tiger Woods Foundation Established
In 1996, Tiger Woods and his father Earl established the Tiger Woods Foundation, initially named the Tiger Woods Foundation, to promote golf among inner-city children.
1996: Three Consecutive U.S. Amateur Titles
In 1996, at age 20, Tiger Woods became the first golfer to win three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles and won the NCAA individual golf championship.
1996: Turned Professional
In 1996, at the age of 20, Tiger Woods turned professional after an outstanding junior, college, and amateur career.
1996: Endorsement Deals
Shortly after his 21st birthday in 1996, Tiger Woods signed endorsement deals with numerous companies, including General Motors, Titleist, General Mills, American Express, Accenture, and Nike.
April 13, 1997: Won the Masters
On April 13, 1997, Tiger Woods won his first major, the Masters, in record-breaking fashion and became the tournament's youngest winner at age 21.
April 1997: Won 1997 Masters
In April 1997, Tiger Woods won the Masters Tournament by 12 strokes, setting a record.
1997: Harmon and Woods Redevelop Woods's Swing
From mid-1997, Butch Harmon and Tiger Woods worked on a major redevelopment of Woods's full swing to improve consistency, distance control, and kinesiology.
1997: Impact on Golf
Since his record-breaking win at the 1997 Masters, Tiger Woods has been the biggest name in golf and his presence in tournaments has drawn a huge fan following. He is credited for dramatically increasing prize money in golf, generating interest in new PGA tournament audiences, and for drawing the largest TV ratings in golf history.
March 1999: Woods Dismisses Caddie Fluff Cowan
In March 1999, Tiger Woods dismissed his caddie, Fluff Cowan, and replaced him with Steve Williams.
August 1999: Began Record-Setting Reign at World Number One
In August 1999, Tiger Woods began his record-setting reign as the world's top-ranked golfer, holding the position for 264 consecutive weeks.
1999: Ryder Cup Win
In 1999, Tiger Woods was a member of the winning United States team at the Ryder Cup.
1999: Swing Changes Begin Paying Off
In 1999, the swing changes made with Butch Harmon began to yield positive results for Tiger Woods.
1999: Finished Season with Eight Wins
Tiger Woods finished the 1999 season with eight wins, including the PGA Championship, a feat not achieved since Johnny Miller did it in 1974.
2000: Nike Contract Extension
In 2000, Tiger Woods signed a 5-year, $105 million contract extension with Nike, which was the largest endorsement package signed by a professional athlete at that time. Woods's endorsement has been credited with playing a significant role in taking the Nike Golf brand from a start-up to becoming the leading golf apparel company.
2000: Consecutively won all four major championships
Tiger Woods is the only player to have consecutively won all four major championships open to professionals, accomplishing the feat in the 2000–2001 seasons.
2001: The "Tiger Slam"
In 2001, when Tiger Woods won the Masters, he became the only player to win four consecutive major professional golf titles, an achievement known as the "Tiger Slam".
2001: Consecutively won all four major championships
Tiger Woods is the only player to have consecutively won all four major championships open to professionals, accomplishing the feat in the 2000–2001 seasons.
2002: Continued Dominance
2002 marked another stellar year for Tiger Woods as he continued to dominate the tour.
2002: Buick Rendezvous SUV Launch
In 2002, Tiger Woods was involved in every aspect of the launch of Buick's Rendezvous SUV. Buick stated that they were happy with the value of Woods's endorsement, pointing out that more than 130,000 Rendezvous vehicles were sold in 2002 and 2003.
2003: Buick Rendezvous SUV Sales
In 2002 and 2003, more than 130,000 Buick Rendezvous vehicles were sold. Buick has to be in recognition of Tiger.
2003: Hank Haney becomes Woods's coach
In 2003, Hank Haney became Tiger Woods's coach, remaining in the position until 2010.
2003: Slump
In 2003, Tiger Woods's career hit a slump and he did not win a major.
February 2004: Buick Endorsement Renewal
In February 2004, Buick renewed Tiger Woods's endorsement contract for another five years, in a deal reportedly worth $40 million.
March 2004: Woods Hires Hank Haney as Coach
In March 2004, Tiger Woods began coaching with Hank Haney, who focused on flattening his swing plane.
2004: Woods Upgrades Driver Technology
In 2004, Tiger Woods upgraded his driver technology to a larger clubhead and graphite shaft, regaining his status as one of the tour's longest drivers.
2004: Success on the Green
Tiger Woods won at least one major every year until 2004.
April 2005: Release of TAG Heuer Professional Golf Watch
In April 2005, Tiger Woods collaborated with TAG Heuer to develop the world's first professional golf watch. The lightweight, titanium-construction watch, incorporates features to facilitate wearing the watch while playing the game.
June 2005: Returned to World Number One
In June 2005, Tiger Woods reclaimed the world's top ranking in golf.
November 2006: Woods Announces Golf Course Design Company
In November 2006, Tiger Woods announced the creation of Tiger Woods Design, a company to design golf courses around the world.
2006: Successes and Loss
In 2006, Tiger Woods started dominantly, winning his first two PGA tournaments. Following his father's death in May, he took time off and later won six consecutive tour events, ending the year with 54 total wins that included 12 majors.
2006: iF Product Design Award for TAG Heuer Watch
In 2006, the TAG Heuer Professional Golf Watch won the prestigious iF product design award in the Leisure/Lifestyle category.
2006: Tiger Woods Learning Center Opens
In 2006, the Tiger Woods Learning Center, a $50-million facility, opened in Anaheim, California, providing college-access programs for underserved youth.
February 2007: Gillette Champions Ambassador
In February 2007, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and Thierry Henry became ambassadors for the "Gillette Champions" marketing campaign.
August 2007: Announcement of The Cliffs at High Carolina
In August 2007, Tiger Woods announced The Cliffs at High Carolina, a private course in North Carolina.
October 2007: Gatorade Tiger Announcement
In October 2007, Gatorade announced that Tiger Woods would have his own brand of sports drink starting in March 2008.
2007: Continued Excellence
In 2007, Tiger Woods continued to excel on the tour.
March 2008: Launch of Gatorade Tiger
In March 2008, Gatorade Tiger, Tiger Woods's own brand of sports drink was launched.
April 2008: Knee Surgery and U.S. Open Victory
In April 2008, Tiger Woods underwent knee surgery and missed two months of the tour. He then returned for the 2008 U.S. Open, where he secured a dramatic victory after an 18-hole playoff, despite his knee injury. Two days later, he announced that he would miss the rest of the season for further knee surgery, revealing a more severe knee injury than initially reported.
November 2008: Groundbreaking for The Cliffs at High Carolina
In November 2008, groundbreaking occurred for The Cliffs at High Carolina project.
April 2009: White House Visit
In April 2009, Tiger Woods visited the White House while promoting the AT&T National golf tournament.
September 2009: Last PGA Tour Win
Prior to his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2012, Tiger Woods' last PGA Tour win was at the BMW Championship in September 2009.
2009: Comeback and Marital Infidelity
In 2009, Tiger Woods made a highly anticipated return to golf, performing well, including at the 2009 Presidents Cup. He did not win a major, which was the first time since 2004 that he failed to do so. At the end of 2009, following media coverage of marital infidelities, he announced an indefinite break from competitive golf.
2009: Last Block Party Concert Event Held
In 2009, the last Block Party concert event, a fundraiser for the Tiger Woods Foundation, was held in Anaheim.
2009: Discontinuation of Gatorade Tiger
In early fall 2009, the company decided to discontinue Gatorade Tiger, the sports drink, due to weak sales.
2009: Previous WGC Title
Prior to his win in March 2013, Tiger Woods last won the WGC Title in 2009.
2009: Previous Best Result in Major
Prior to the 2018 PGA Championship, Tiger Woods' best result in a major was second at the 2009 PGA Championship.
April 2010: Return to Golf
In April 2010, Tiger Woods returned to professional golf after a hiatus.
May 2010: Haney Resigns as Woods's Coach
In May 2010, Hank Haney resigned as Tiger Woods's coach under questionable circumstances, after which Sean Foley replaced him.
December 2010: TWF Employs Approximately 55 People
As of December 2010, the Tiger Woods Foundation employed approximately 55 people.
2010: Return to Competition and Coaching Change
In 2010, Tiger Woods returned to competition at the Masters, tying for fourth. After poor showings and an injury withdrawal, his coach Hank Haney resigned in 2003. In August, Woods hired Sean Foley as his new coach. He failed to win any event during the season.
June 2011: Woods Dismisses Caddie Steve Williams
In June 2011, Tiger Woods dismissed Steve Williams after he caddied for Adam Scott in the U.S. Open, replacing him with Bryon Bell on an interim basis before hiring Joe LaCava.
October 2011: First Tiger Woods Invitational
In October 2011, the Tiger Woods Foundation hosted the first Tiger Woods Invitational at Pebble Beach.
November 2011: Fell to Number 58 in World Rankings
In November 2011, Tiger Woods fell to number 58 in the world rankings.
2011: Performance Decline and Caddie Change
In 2011, Tiger Woods's performance suffered, affecting his ranking. Despite a strong showing at the Masters, he missed several PGA Tour stops due to leg injuries. In July, he fired his caddie Steve Williams, replacing him with Bryon Bell temporarily before hiring Joe LaCava. His ranking fell to #58 before improving after a third-place finish at the Emirates Australian Open. He ended a winless streak at the Chevron World Challenge in December.
October 2012: Endorsement Deal with Fuse Science, Inc
In October 2012, it was announced that Tiger Woods signed an exclusive endorsement deal with Fuse Science, Inc, a sports nutrition firm.
2012: Putting Adjustment and PGA Tour Win
In 2012, after struggling in early tournaments, Tiger Woods revised his putting technique and achieved a low final-round score at The Honda Classic. Following a leg injury, he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his first PGA Tour win since the BMW Championship in September 2009. He then secured his 73rd PGA Tour win at the Memorial Tournament in June, tying Jack Nicklaus, and later surpassed Nicklaus with a win at the AT&T National.
March 2013: Returned to Number One Ranking
In March 2013, Tiger Woods returned to the number one position in the world golf rankings.
May 2013: The Players Championship Win
In May 2013, Tiger Woods won The Players Championship, his second career win at the event, marking his fourth win of the 2013 season.
2013: Elbow Injury and Major Performance
In 2013, Tiger Woods had a poor showing at the U.S. Open due to an elbow injury. After a break, he returned at the Open Championship, finishing tied for 6th. He won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. At the PGA Championship, he was not in contention, marking his fifth full season without a major win.
2013: Dominating Play and World Ranking Return
The year 2013 marked a return to dominating play for Tiger Woods. In January, he won the Farmers Insurance Open, his 75th PGA Tour win. In March, he won the WGC-Cadillac Championship, and two weeks later, the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The wins moved him back to the top of the world rankings. Nike launched an ad with the tagline "winning takes care of everything".
March 2014: Injury at The Honda Classic
In March 2014, Tiger Woods sustained an injury during the final round of The Honda Classic, withdrawing from the tournament due to back pain. He also experienced pain during the WGC-Cadillac Championship and skipped the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
August 25, 2014: Parting Ways with Swing Coach Sean Foley
On August 25, 2014, Tiger Woods and his swing coach Sean Foley ended their four-year partnership. During this time, Woods secured eight wins but no major championships. Woods stated he had no immediate plans to find a new swing coach.
February 5, 2015: Withdrawal from Farmers Insurance Open
On February 5, 2015, Tiger Woods withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open due to another back injury, unrelated to previous surgery. He announced a break from golf until his back healed.
August 2015: Injuries and Competition Hiatus
Due to injuries, August 2015 marked the start of a period where Tiger Woods competed in only one tournament until January 2018.
August 2015: Wrist Injury and Wyndham Championship
In August 2015, Tiger Woods finished tied for 18th at the Quicken Loans National on August 2. In late August 2015, Woods played well at the Wyndham Championship finishing the tournament at 13-under, tied for 10th place. Woods stated it was "just my hip".
August 2016: Seeking New Golf Equipment Partner
In August 2016, Tiger Woods announced that he would be seeking a new golf equipment partner after the news of Nike's exit from the equipment industry.
January 25, 2017: Signing with TaylorMade
On January 25, 2017, it was announced that Tiger Woods would be signing a new club deal with TaylorMade. He added the 2016 M2 driver along with the 2017 M1 fairway woods, with irons to be custom made at a later date.
March 2017: Publication of "The 1997 Masters: My Story"
In March 2017, Tiger Woods published a memoir, "The 1997 Masters: My Story", co-authored by Lorne Rubenstein, focusing on his first Masters win.
2017: Back Problems and Masters Withdrawal
In 2017, Tiger Woods's back problems persisted. He missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open and withdrew from a European Tour event in Dubai. He announced he would not play in the 2017 Masters Tournament. Woods subsequently told friends, "I'm done".
January 2018: Return to Regular Competition
In January 2018, Tiger Woods returned to regular competition after a period of injuries and limited play.
September 2018: Won the Tour Championship
In September 2018, Tiger Woods won the Tour Championship, marking his first victory in five years.
September 23, 2018: Tour Championship Victory
On September 23, 2018, Tiger Woods won the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club for the second time, securing his 80th PGA Tour victory. He won by two strokes over Billy Horschel.
April 14, 2019: Masters Victory
On April 14, 2019, Tiger Woods won the Masters, his first major championship win in eleven years and his 15th major overall. At age 43, he became the second oldest golfer to win the Masters.
October 2019: Announcement of Memoir Book "Back"
In October 2019, Tiger Woods announced he would be writing a memoir book titled "Back".
October 2019: Zozo Championship Victory
In October 2019, Tiger Woods won the Zozo Championship, marking the first-ever PGA Tour event played in Japan. Woods held at least a share of the lead after every round, securing a three-stroke victory over Hideki Matsuyama. This win was Woods's 82nd on the PGA Tour, tying him with Sam Snead for the most victories of all time.
2019: Won 2019 Masters
In 2019, Tiger Woods won the Masters, marking his first major victory in 11 years.
September 28, 2021: Launch of "Iconic Fist Pumps Collection" NFT
On September 28, 2021, Tiger Woods's "Iconic Fist Pumps Collection", his first digital non-fungible token (NFT) collection, launched on the DraftKings Marketplace in collaboration with Autograph.io.
August 2022: Formation of TGL
In August 2022, Tiger Woods, along with Rory McIlroy, Mike McCarley, and the PGA Tour, announced the formation of TGL, a six-team virtual golfing league.
January 8, 2024: Parting Ways with Nike
On January 8, 2024, Tiger Woods announced that he would be parting ways with Nike after 27 years, ending one of the most lucrative endorsements any athlete has had.
February 12, 2024: Announcement of "Sun Day Red" Apparel Line
On February 12, 2024, Tiger Woods partnered with TaylorMade to launch his golf apparel line, "Sun Day Red", featuring his signature red shirt.
March 2026: TGL Tournament and Health Issues
In March 2026, Tiger Woods competed in the TGL tournament as a member of the Jupiter Links team, which lost the championship match to the Los Angeles Golf Club. Following an arrest the same month, it was confirmed that Woods had physical mobility limitations and was using hydrocodone for pain management. He is also reportedly stepping away from his golf career to focus on his health.
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