Childhood and Education Journey of Tiger Woods in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Tiger Woods, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer, considered one of the greatest of all time. He is tied for first in PGA Tour wins and ranks second in men's major championships, holding numerous golf records. Woods is a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee and a globally recognized athlete.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1968: Earl Meets Kultida

In 1968, Earl Woods met Kultida Punsawad in Thailand while on tour of duty.

December 30, 1975: Tiger Woods Born

On December 30, 1975, Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods was born. He would become a famous golfer.

Others born on this day/year

1978: Television Appearance with Bob Hope

In 1978, Tiger Woods, as a child, putted against comedian Bob Hope in a television appearance on The Mike Douglas Show.

Loading Video...

1984: Junior World Golf Championships Win

In 1984, at the age of eight, Tiger Woods won the 9–10 boys' event at the Junior World Golf Championships.

1988: Junior World Championships Win

In 1988, Tiger Woods continued his winning streak at the Junior World Championships.

1989: First Major Junior Tournament

In 1989, at the age of 13, Tiger Woods played in his first major national junior tournament, the Big I, and was paired with John Daly.

1991: Junior World Championships Win

In 1991, Tiger Woods secured another win at the Junior World Championships, marking four consecutive wins.

1994: Graduates High School

In 1994, Tiger Woods graduated from Western High School and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed".

1994: Enrolls at Stanford University

In the fall of 1994, Tiger Woods enrolled at Stanford University under a golf scholarship, choosing Stanford as it was the reigning NCAA champion.

1999: Laser Eye Surgery

In 1999, Tiger Woods underwent successful laser eye surgery to correct his severe myopia.

2000: Beliefs on Buddhism

In 2000, in an article, Tiger Woods stated that he believes in most aspects of Buddhism, and later attributed his deviations and infidelity to losing track of Buddhism teachings about restraint.

2002: ESPN Claims Woods' Ethnicity

In 2002, ESPN claimed that Tiger Woods is "one-quarter Thai, one-quarter Chinese, one-quarter African American, one-eighth Caucasian and one-eighth Native American."

November 2003: Woods Became Engaged to Nordegren

In November 2003, Tiger Woods became engaged to Elin Nordegren, a Swedish former model.

October 5, 2004: Woods Married Elin Nordegren

On October 5, 2004, Tiger Woods married Elin Nordegren at the Sandy Lane resort in Barbados. They later lived at Isleworth in Windermere, Florida.

2006: Purchase of Jupiter Island Estate

In 2006, Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren purchased a $39-million estate in Jupiter Island, Florida, and began constructing a 10,000-square-foot home.

2006: Dominant Performance and Father's Death

In 2006, Tiger Woods began the year dominantly, winning his first two PGA tournaments, but took time off after the death of his father in May.

2007: Birth of Sam Alexis Woods

In 2007, Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren's first child, a daughter named Sam Alexis Woods, was born. Woods stated he chose the name because his own father had always called him Sam.

2007: Second Laser Eye Surgery

In 2007, Tiger Woods underwent laser eye surgery a second time as his vision began to deteriorate again.

2008: Youngest U.S. Amateur Record Broken

In 2008, Danny Lee broke Tiger Woods' record as the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur.

January 2009: Speech at Obama Inaugural Celebration

In January 2009, Tiger Woods delivered a speech commemorating the military at the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.

April 2009: White House Visit

In April 2009, Tiger Woods visited the White House to promote the AT&T National golf tournament he hosts.

December 2009: Hiatus from Golf

In December 2009, Woods took a self-imposed hiatus from professional golf to resolve marital issues.

2009: Birth of Charlie Axel Woods

In 2009, Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren's son, Charlie Axel Woods, was born.

February 2010: Televised Apology and Endorsement Losses

In February 2010, Tiger Woods delivered a televised apology for his behavior, admitting he "was wrong and I was foolish." During this time, several companies ended their endorsement deals with Woods.

August 23, 2010: Woods and Nordegren Divorced

On August 23, 2010, Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren divorced after six years of marriage.

2010: U.S. Junior Amateur Record Broken

In 2010, Jim Liu broke Tiger Woods' record of being the youngest U.S. Junior Amateur champion.

2010: Woods Moved to Jupiter Island

In 2010, Tiger Woods moved to the Jupiter Island estate following his divorce from Elin Nordegren.

2012: Niece Turns Professional

In 2012, Tiger Woods's niece, Cheyenne Woods, turned professional and made her pro debut in the LPGA Championship.

March 18, 2013: Woods and Vonn Announced Relationship

On March 18, 2013, Tiger Woods announced that he and Olympic gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn were dating.

2013: Moves out of California

In 1996, Woods moved out of California, stating in 2013 that it was due to the state's high tax rate.

2014: Woods's Fourth Back Surgery

On April 20, 2017, Woods announced that he had undergone his fourth back surgery since 2014 to alleviate back and leg pain. Recovery time required up to six months, meaning that Woods would spend the rest of the year without playing any professional golf.

May 2015: Woods and Vonn Split Up

In May 2015, Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn ended their relationship.

September 16, 2015: Back Surgery

On September 16, 2015, Tiger Woods underwent back surgery.

December 2016: Golf with President Trump

In December 2016, Tiger Woods played golf with President Donald Trump at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.

July 3, 2017: Woods Completed Intensive Program

On July 3, 2017, Tiger Woods tweeted that he had completed an out-of-state intensive program to tackle an unspecified issue.

August 9, 2017: Woods Pleaded Not Guilty

On August 9, 2017, at his arraignment, Tiger Woods' attorney submitted a not guilty plea for him, and Woods agreed to participate in a first-time DUI offender program and attend another arraignment on October 25.

November 2017: Golf with President Trump

In November 2017, Tiger Woods played golf with President Donald Trump at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach again.

2017: Continued Back Problems and Fourth Back Surgery

In 2017, Tiger Woods continued to struggle with back problems, missing events and ultimately undergoing his fourth back surgery since 2014. Recovery time meant he would spend the rest of the year without playing professional golf. He returned to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge.

August 2019: Knee Surgery

In August 2019, Tiger Woods announced that he underwent knee surgery to repair minor cartilage damage and that he had an arthroscopic procedure during the Tour Championship. He confirmed that he was walking and intended on playing in Japan in October.

December 2020: Woods Undergoes Fifth Microdiscectomy Surgery

In December 2020, Tiger Woods underwent microdiscectomy surgery on his back for the fifth time to remove a pressurized disc fragment causing him pain.

February 23, 2021: Car Accident and Hospitalization

On February 23, 2021, Tiger Woods was hospitalized in serious but stable condition after a single-car collision and underwent emergency surgery to repair compound fractures sustained in his right leg in addition to a shattered ankle.