Tiger Woods
December 30, 1975
Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods, born on December 30, 1975, stands as an American professional golfer of unparalleled distinction in the sport. His remarkable career is characterized by a myriad of accolades and records, securing his legacy as one of the greatest golfers in history. He holds an esteemed position in the World Golf Hall of Fame, testament to his extraordinary contributions to golf.
Woods commenced his professional journey in 1996, marking the beginning of a historic trajectory. By April 1997, at the youthful age of 21, he had already clinched three PGA Tour events, including his first major triumph at the 1997 Masters, where he astoundingly triumphed by a record-setting 12 strokes. Remarkably, less than a year after turning pro, Woods ascended to the pinnacle of the Official World Golf Ranking in June 1997.
Throughout the initial decade of the 21st century, Woods reigned supreme in the world of golf. He dominated as the top-ranked golfer globally, holding the coveted position from August 1999 to September 2004 for an astounding 264 consecutive weeks. His reign continued from June 2005 to October 2010, encompassing an impressive 281 consecutive weeks. During this illustrious period, Woods amassed an impressive collection of 13 major championships.
The subsequent decade of Woods’s career was punctuated by resolute comebacks from personal challenges and injuries. In 2009, he voluntarily withdrew from professional golf, embarking on a hiatus that lasted until early April 2010, as he sought to address marital issues with his then-wife, Elin. This period was marred by Woods’s acknowledgment of marital infidelities, leading to their eventual divorce.
Woods encountered a dip in his world ranking, plummeting to number 58 in November 2011, only to reclaim the top spot between March 2013 and May 2014. However, his journey was laden with physical setbacks, including four back surgeries between 2014 and 2017. His competitive appearances dwindled, with only one tournament between August 2015 and January 2018, leading to his omission from the list of the world’s top 1,000 golfers.
Yet, Woods tenaciously battled back to the pinnacle of the sport, delivering a triumphant performance at the Tour Championship in September 2018, securing his first tournament victory in five years. A watershed moment followed at the 2019 Masters, where Woods claimed his first major title in 11 years, solidifying his status as an iconic figure in golf history.
Woods boasts an impressive array of golf records, including his unparalleled reign as the world’s number-one golfer for both consecutive and total weeks. He has received the PGA Player of the Year honor an astounding 11 times and holds the Byron Nelson Award for the lowest adjusted scoring average on eight occasions. His dominance is further reflected in leading the money list in ten different seasons.
With 15 professional major golf championships to his name, Woods trails only Jack Nicklaus, who leads with 18. He shares the top spot in PGA Tour events won, tying with Sam Snead at 82 victories. Woods is the preeminent active golfer in career major wins and career PGA Tour wins. Remarkably, he is one of just five players to achieve the career Grand Slam, achieving this feat three times, and is the youngest to do so. Additionally, Woods stands as the second golfer, following Nicklaus, to accomplish a career Grand Slam three times.
Woods boasts an impressive tally of 18 World Golf Championships, and his contributions extend beyond individual achievements. He was a pivotal part of the American winning team at the 1999 Ryder Cup. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport, Woods was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Trump in May 2019, joining a select group of golfers who have received this prestigious accolade.
Tragedy struck on February 23, 2021, when Woods was involved in a single-car collision, resulting in serious but stable condition. He underwent emergency surgery to repair compound fractures in his right leg and a shattered ankle. In a candid interview with Golf Digest in November 2021, Woods hinted that his full-time professional golf career had concluded, although he expressed a desire to participate in a few events annually. His remarkable journey continued as he made a comeback to the PGA Tour at the 2022 Masters, marking a significant moment following the car crash that had raised doubts about his future in the sport.