Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer who shares the record for most PGA Tour wins and has the second-most men's major championships. He holds many golf records and is considered one of the greatest golfers ever, as well as one of the most famous athletes in history. Woods is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
In 1968, Earl Woods, while on a tour of duty in Thailand, met Kultida "Tida" Punsawad. This encounter would lead to their marriage and the birth of their son, Tiger Woods.
On December 30, 1975, Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods was born in Cypress, California, to Earl and Kultida "Tida" Woods.
In 1978, at the tender age of three, Tiger Woods made a memorable television appearance, putting against comedian Bob Hope on The Mike Douglas Show. This early exposure to the public eye hinted at the extraordinary talent that would soon captivate the world.
In 1984, at the age of eight, Tiger Woods emerged victorious in the 9-10 boys' division of the Junior World Golf Championships. This accomplishment, achieved in the youngest age group available, underscored his exceptional talent and set the stage for an unparalleled junior career.
In 1986, Jack Nicklaus won the Masters at age 46, becoming the oldest golfer to win the tournament at the time.
In 1988, Tiger Woods commenced a remarkable streak of four consecutive victories at the Junior World Golf Championships, solidifying his status as a prodigious talent in the world of golf. This period of dominance showcased his exceptional skill and determination.
In 1989, Tiger Woods participated in his first major national junior tournament, the Big I. During the final round, he was paired with professional golfer John Daly, who was relatively unknown at the time. Despite Daly's strong finish, Woods' performance showcased his burgeoning talent on a larger stage.
In 1991, Tiger Woods' impressive streak of four consecutive Junior World Golf Championship wins came to an end, marking a significant milestone in his junior career.
Tiger Woods began working with swing coach Butch Harmon in mid-1993.
In 1994, Tiger Woods missed the Masters Tournament for the first time in his career.
In 1996, after his 21st birthday, Tiger Woods signed multiple endorsement deals with companies including General Motors, Titleist, General Mills, American Express, Accenture, and Nike.
In 1996, at the young age of 20, Tiger Woods made his transition into professional golf, embarking on a career that would redefine the sport.
The TGR Foundation was established in 1996 by Tiger Woods and his father Earl as the Tiger Woods Foundation.
Tiger Woods appeared on Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes. From 1996 to 2007, Woods earned $769,440,709, and it was predicted that he would pass a billion dollars in earnings by 2010.
Tiger Woods joined the PGA Tour in 1996.
In April 1997, Tiger Woods secured his first major win at the Masters Tournament, winning by a record-breaking 12 strokes.
In June 1997, less than a year after turning pro, Woods ascended to the number one position in the Official World Golf Ranking.
In 1997, Tiger Woods and fellow golfer Arnold Palmer initiated a civil case against Bruce Matthews, the owner of Gotta Have It Golf, Inc., and others to stop the unauthorized sale of their images and alleged signatures in the memorabilia market.
Tiger Woods began writing a golf instruction column for Golf Digest magazine in 1997.
After his record-breaking win at the 1997 Masters, Tiger Woods became a huge name in golf, drawing large crowds to tournaments and increasing interest and viewership of the sport.
In mid-1997, Tiger Woods and Butch Harmon started a major redevelopment of Woods's full swing.
Fluff Cowan was dismissed as Tiger Woods' caddie in March 1999.
Beginning in August 1999, Woods embarked on a dominant period, holding the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking. This reign would continue until September 2004, lasting an impressive 264 consecutive weeks.
In 1999, Tiger Woods played a crucial role as a member of the victorious American team in the Ryder Cup, showcasing his talent and competitive spirit on an international stage.
Starting in 1999, Tiger Woods began endorsing the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series of video games.
The changes to Tiger Woods's swing started paying off in 1999.
In 2000, Tiger Woods was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year.
In 2000, Tiger Woods won a golf tournament in his 100th PGA Tour start.
In 2000, Tiger Woods became one of five players to win all four major championships in his career, known as the Career Grand Slam.
In 2000, Tiger Woods signed a five-year, $105 million contract extension with Nike, which was the largest endorsement package signed by a professional athlete at that time.
In 2000, Tiger Woods publicly acknowledged his Buddhist faith, explaining its significance in his life.
In 2001, Tiger Woods authored the best-selling golf instruction book 'How I Play Golf,' which had a record-breaking first edition print run of 1.5 million copies.
In 2001, Tiger Woods became the only player to consecutively win all four major championships open to professionals.
Tiger Woods was introduced to his future wife, Elin Nordegren, during The Open Championship in 2001.
Tiger Woods was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2001.
In 2002, ESPN published a detailed breakdown of Tiger Woods' ethnic background, highlighting his diverse heritage as "one-quarter Thai, one-quarter Chinese, one-quarter Caucasian, one-eighth African American, and one-eighth Native American."
In 2002, Tiger Woods was involved in every aspect of the launch of Buick's Rendezvous SUV.
Tiger Woods became engaged to Elin Nordegren in November 2003.
In 2003, Phil Mickelson made a joke about Tiger Woods using "inferior equipment."
Many golf courses in the PGA Tour rotation, including major championship sites like Augusta National, added yardage to their tees in an effort to reduce the advantage of long hitters like Tiger Woods. This strategy became known as "Tiger-proofing." Woods' dominance from 2003-2004 led to other golfers scoring worse when competing against him than when he was not in the tournament.
In 2003, Buick reported that more than 130,000 Rendezvous vehicles were sold in 2002 and 2003, exceeding forecasts. A company spokesman attributed the sales success to Tiger Woods' endorsement of the vehicle.
In February 2004, Tiger Woods renewed his endorsement contract with Buick for another five years, in a deal reportedly worth $40 million.
Tiger Woods started working with coach Hank Haney in March 2004.
In September 2004, Tiger Woods' impressive 264-week streak as the world's top-ranked golfer came to an end.
Tiger Woods married Elin Nordegren on October 5, 2004, at the Sandy Lane resort in Barbados.
In 2004, Tiger Woods upgraded his driver technology to a larger clubhead and graphite shaft, making him one of the tour's longest players off the tee.
In April 2005, Tiger Woods collaborated with TAG Heuer to release the world's first professional golf watch. The watch was designed to be lightweight with titanium construction, incorporating features to facilitate wearing during gameplay and capable of absorbing high shock impact.
Tiger Woods reclaimed the number one position in the Official World Golf Ranking in June 2005, marking the beginning of another extended period of dominance.
Tiger Woods announced his intention to begin designing golf courses through Tiger Woods Design in November 2006.
In 2006, Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren purchased a $39 million estate in Jupiter Island, Florida.
In 2006, Tiger Woods signed a six-year contract with Electronic Arts, the publisher of the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game series.
In 2006, Tiger Woods won a golf tournament in his 200th PGA Tour start.
In 2006, the TAG Heuer Professional Golf Watch won the prestigious iF product design award in the Leisure/Lifestyle category.
The Tiger Woods Learning Center opened in 2006.
In February 2007, Tiger Woods, along with Roger Federer and Thierry Henry, became ambassadors for the "Gillette Champions" marketing campaign.
Tiger Woods Design announced The Cliffs at High Carolina golf course in August 2007.
On August 20, 2007, it was announced that Tiger Woods would be inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
In October 2007, Gatorade announced that Tiger Woods would have his own brand of sports drink starting in March 2008, marking his first U.S. deal with a beverage company and his first licensing agreement.
On December 5, 2007, Tiger Woods was inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren's first child, a daughter named Sam Alexis Woods, was born in 2007.
By 2007, Tiger Woods had earned $769,440,709 from his career, and it was predicted that he would pass a billion dollars in earnings by 2010.
Tiger Woods' own brand of sports drink, "Gatorade Tiger", was launched in March 2008.
A Tiger Woods Design course in Punta Brava, Mexico, was announced in October 2008.
The groundbreaking ceremony for The Cliffs at High Carolina took place in November 2008.
In January 2009, Tiger Woods delivered a speech commemorating the military at the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration.
In April 2009, Tiger Woods visited the White House while promoting the AT&T National golf tournament.
In November 2009, Tiger Woods was involved in a car crash after an alleged extramarital affair was published. This event marked the beginning of a public infidelity scandal that significantly impacted his personal and professional life.
In December 2009, following Tiger Woods' admission of multiple infidelities, several companies re-evaluated their relationships with him. Some companies ended their sponsorships while others suspended advertising featuring him. It was estimated that the shareholder loss caused by Woods's affairs was between $5 billion and $12 billion.
In December 2009, Tiger Woods announced a temporary withdrawal from professional golf to address personal issues in his marriage with Elin, his wife at the time.
Tiger Woods was named "Athlete of the Decade" by the Associated Press in 2009.
The Al Ruwaya Golf Course was initially expected to be completed in 2009.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren's son, Charlie Axel Woods, was born in 2009.
The last Block Party event, a fundraiser for the TGR Foundation, was held in 2009.
In 2009, several of Tiger Woods' business projects encountered problems. These issues were attributed to overly optimistic value estimates, the global economic downturn, and the decreased marketability of Woods following his infidelity scandal.
In 2009, Gatorade decided to discontinue "Gatorade Tiger" due to weak sales.
In 2009, Forbes confirmed that Tiger Woods was the world's first professional athlete to earn over a billion dollars in his career. That same year, Forbes estimated his net worth to be $600 million, making him the second richest person of color in the United States, behind only Oprah Winfrey.
At the 2018 PGA Championship, Woods secured his best result in a major championship since 2009, finishing second and showcasing his return to competitiveness.
In 2009, the HSBC Champions became a WGC event.
As of February 2010, only seven holes of the Al Ruwaya Golf Course had been completed.
Golf Digest magazine suspended Tiger Woods' monthly column beginning with the February 2010 issue following his infidelity scandal.
On February 19, 2010, Tiger Woods gave a televised statement apologizing for his actions and stating that he had completed a 45-day therapy program. He admitted to his wrongdoings and acknowledged his sense of entitlement. He also shared his intention to return to golf eventually.
In early April 2010, following a self-imposed hiatus to address personal matters, Tiger Woods made his return to professional golf.
Hank Haney resigned as Tiger Woods' coach in May 2010.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren divorced on August 23, 2010, after six years of marriage.
Tiger Woods' second extended period as the top-ranked golfer concluded in October 2010. This reign lasted an impressive 281 consecutive weeks.
As of December 2010, the TGR Foundation employed approximately 55 people.
Tiger Woods moved to his Jupiter Island estate in 2010 following his divorce from Elin Nordegren.
By 2010, Tiger Woods was projected to have earned over a billion dollars in his career.
In February 2011, Tiger Woods stopped writing his golf instruction column for Golf Digest magazine after 14 years.
In April 2011, it was reported that the Al Ruwaya Golf Course project had been shelved permanently.
Steve Williams was dismissed as Tiger Woods' caddie in June 2011.
TAG Heuer officially ended their sponsorship deal with Tiger Woods in August 2011, following a suspension of advertising featuring him in December 2009.
The first Tiger Woods Invitational was held in October 2011.
Tiger Woods' ranking in the world of professional golf dropped to 58th in November 2011, reflecting a challenging period in his career.
In October 2012, Tiger Woods signed an exclusive endorsement deal with Fuse Science, Inc, a sports nutrition firm.
In 2012, Cheyenne Woods, Tiger Woods' niece, embarked on her professional golf career, making her pro debut at the LPGA Championship. She had previously played for the Wake Forest University golf team, showcasing her talent and following in her uncle's footsteps.
In a remarkable comeback, Tiger Woods ascended once again to the number one position in the world golf rankings in March 2013, demonstrating his resilience and unwavering pursuit of excellence.
On March 18, 2013, Tiger Woods announced his relationship with Olympic gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn.
In 2013, Woods faced challenges due to an elbow injury sustained at The Players Championship, impacting his performance in the U.S. Open and leading to withdrawals from other tournaments. He returned for the Open Championship and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he secured a victory. However, he did not win a major championship that year.
Woods last top-five finish on the PGA Tour before March 11, 2018, occurred in 2013, highlighting the significance of his performance at the Valspar Championship.
In 2013, Tiger Woods won the Players Championship, marking a victory in his 300th PGA Tour start.
The partnership between Tiger Woods Design and Dubai Holding was dissolved in 2013.
On March 12, 2014, a Florida jury found in favor of Gotta Have It Golf, Inc., on its breach of contract and other related claims against Tiger Woods and his company, ETW Corporation. The jury rejected ETW's counterclaims and awarded Gotta Have It $668,346 in damages.
In March 2014, Woods sustained a back injury during The Honda Classic, forcing him to withdraw. He continued to experience pain, leading to his withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational and undergoing back surgery.
Tiger Woods' period at the top of the world golf rankings ended in May 2014.
On August 25, 2014, Tiger Woods and his swing coach, Sean Foley, decided to part ways after a four-year partnership that saw Woods win eight tournaments but no major championships.
By 2017, Woods had undergone four back surgeries since 2014, underscoring the persistent challenges he faced in maintaining his physical condition.
In 2014, Woods missed the Masters Tournament due to back problems, highlighting the recurring nature of his injuries.
On February 5, 2015, Woods withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open due to a back injury unrelated to his previous surgery. He took a break from golf to focus on his recovery.
Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn split up in May 2015, ending their relationship.
In August 2015, Woods sustained a wrist injury during the Masters but continued playing. He missed cuts at the U.S. Open and Open Championship but performed well at the Wyndham Championship, finishing tied for 10th despite ongoing back and hip issues.
In August 2015, Tiger Woods' participation in professional golf was severely limited due to injuries, leading to a prolonged period of absence from the sport.
On September 16, 2015, Woods underwent back surgery and subsequently missed the Masters in 2016. This marked the first time he missed all four major championships in a single year due to back problems.
In 2015, Tiger Woods ranked ninth in Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes and was the top among Asian Americans or the fourth among African Americans.
Prior to 2015, results were not recorded in chronological order.
In March 2016, Woods announced he would miss the Masters due to his ongoing recovery from back surgery, stating that he was making progress but had no set timeline for returning to competitive golf.
Despite being unable to compete, Woods attended the Masters Champions Dinner on April 5, 2016.
In August 2016, Tiger Woods announced that he would be seeking a new golf equipment partner after Nike exited the equipment industry.
In October 2016, Woods expressed his continued desire to surpass Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles, indicating his determination to return to peak form.
From November 2016, Tiger Woods was rumored to be in a relationship with stylist Kristin Smith.
In December 2016, Woods underwent another back surgery, leading to a 15-month hiatus from the PGA Tour.
In December 2016, Tiger Woods played golf with President Donald Trump at the Trump International Golf Club.
On January 25, 2017, it was announced that Tiger Woods would be signing a new club deal with TaylorMade, adding the 2016 M2 driver, 2017 M1 fairway woods, and custom-made irons. He also added his Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS, a club he used to win 13 of his 15 majors. Additionally, in late 2016, he added Monster Energy as his primary bag sponsor, replacing MusclePharm.
Tiger Woods published his memoir, 'The 1997 Masters: My Story,' co-authored by Lorne Rubenstein, in March 2017. The book focuses on his first Masters win.
On May 29, 2017, Tiger Woods was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was found asleep in his car.
On July 3, 2017, Tiger Woods announced the completion of an out-of-state intensive program to address an unspecified issue.
On August 9, 2017, Tiger Woods pleaded not guilty to DUI charges and agreed to participate in a first-time offender program.
The rumored relationship between Tiger Woods and stylist Kristin Smith ended in August 2017.
On October 27, 2017, Tiger Woods pleaded guilty to reckless driving and received probation, fines, and community service.
In November 2017, Tiger Woods had a second golf outing with President Donald Trump at the Trump International Golf Club.
In 2017, Woods continued to struggle with back problems, leading to withdrawals from tournaments and the announcement of his fourth back surgery since 2014. The recovery period kept him away from professional golf for the remainder of the year.
In 2017, Tiger Woods underwent his fourth back surgery, highlighting the physical challenges he faced throughout his career.
As of 2017, Tiger Woods was considered to be the highest-paid golfer in the world.
As of January 2018, Tiger Woods remained largely absent from competitive golf due to ongoing injury rehabilitation.
On March 11, 2018, Woods achieved his first top-five finish on the PGA Tour since 2013, tying for second at the Valspar Championship, signaling his resurgence.
In a triumphant return to form, Tiger Woods secured victory at the Tour Championship in September 2018, marking his first tournament win in five years.
On September 23, 2018, Tiger Woods won his 80th PGA Tour title at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. He won by two strokes over Billy Horschel.
On April 14, 2019, Tiger Woods won the Masters, his first major championship win in 11 years and his 15th major overall, finishing 13 under par to win by one stroke. At age 43, he became the second oldest golfer ever to win the Masters.
In May 2019, Tiger Woods was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump.
In May 2019, Tiger Woods was bestowed with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump. This prestigious award recognized his exceptional contributions to the sport of golf and his status as a global icon. Woods became the fourth golfer to receive this honor, solidifying his place among the most celebrated figures in American sports history.
In August 2019, Tiger Woods announced that he had undergone knee surgery to repair minor cartilage damage.
In October 2019, Tiger Woods announced he would be writing a memoir titled 'Back'.
In October 2019, Tiger Woods won the Zozo Championship in Japan. This marked his 82nd win on the PGA Tour, tying him with Sam Snead for the most victories of all time.
The site for The Cliffs at High Carolina was sold in 2019.
In a remarkable display of skill and resilience, Tiger Woods won the Masters Tournament in 2019. This victory marked his first major championship win in 11 years and served as a testament to his enduring legacy in the world of golf.
Tiger Woods had his fifth microdiscectomy back surgery in December 2020.
In 2020, results were not recorded in chronological order.
In 2020, the PGA Tour held its first ever tournament in Japan, the Zozo Championship.
On February 23, 2021, Tiger Woods was involved in a serious single-car accident. The accident resulted in significant injuries, including compound fractures in his right leg and a shattered ankle, necessitating immediate hospitalization and emergency surgery.
On September 28, 2021, Tiger Woods launched his first digital NFT collection, 'Iconic Fist Pumps Collection,' in collaboration with Autograph.io on the DraftKings Marketplace. The collection featured 10,000 digital pictures of his iconic moments.
In November 2021, Tiger Woods revealed in an interview with Golf Digest that his full-time career as a professional golfer had come to an end. He indicated his intention to continue playing in a limited capacity, participating in "a few events per year." This announcement marked a significant shift in Woods' career, transitioning from a dominant force to a more selective competitor.
In 2021, Tiger Woods was involved in a motor vehicle crash.
In August 2022, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Mike McCarley, and the PGA Tour announced the formation of TGL, a virtual golfing league.
Tiger Woods was in a relationship with restaurant manager Erica Herman between late 2017 and late 2022.
In 2022, Tiger Woods became the first golfer to have a net worth over one billion dollars.
Tiger Woods returned to professional golf at the 2022 Masters Tournament, his first tournament since his car crash in 2021. He finished in 47th place.
In 2022, for the first time since his car accident in 2021, Tiger Woods made a momentous return to the PGA Tour. His participation in the Masters Tournament served as a testament to his resilience and unwavering passion for the sport.
In November 2023, Tiger Woods revealed his co-ownership of Jupiter Links Golf Club.
In early 2023, Erica Herman filed a lawsuit against Tiger Woods relating to a non-disclosure agreement, alleging it violated the Speak Out Act.
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.
Tiger Woods partnered with TaylorMade to launch his golf apparel line, 'Sun Day Red,' on February 12, 2024. The line featured Woods' signature red shirt.
April 15, 2024, is the cut-off date for data collection.
A portion of the site for The Cliffs at High Carolina was listed for sale in 2024, with development plans still on file.