Tiger Woods celebrates his 50th birthday. We look back at a professional career that remains nearly unmatched.
Born on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, Eldrick Tont Woods—better known as Tiger—was introduced to golf at an incredibly young age. The son of Kultida Woods and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Earl Woods, Tiger was already mimicking golf swings at six months old. By the age of two, he was appearing on television as a golf prodigy, swinging clubs alongside comedian Bob Hope on the Mike Douglas Show.
From College Star to Amateur Champion
Tiger’s early success came at age eight when he won the Junior World Golf Championship in 1984. He continued to dominate the junior and amateur circuits, eventually winning the NCAA title in 1994 while studying economics at Stanford University. In 1996, he turned professional and signed record-breaking endorsement deals, including a $40 million contract with Nike. That same year, he won two PGA Tour events and was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year and PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.
In 1997, Woods won his first major at the Masters, finishing 18-under-par with a 12-shot lead—becoming the first Black golfer to win at Augusta National. Just 42 weeks into his pro career, he ascended to World No. 1 for the first time.
Tiger Woods wins his first Masters in 1997. (Photo: Getty)
The Tiger Slam and Unmatched Dominance
Woods’ dominance peaked with the Tiger Slam—winning four consecutive majors from 2000 to 2001. By 2019, he had amassed 15 major titles and 82 PGA Tour wins, tying Sam Snead for the all-time record. Though he played in eight Ryder Cups, he only tasted team victory in 1999. His aggressive yet technically flawless swing and mental toughness redefined the sport. He spent a record 683 weeks as World No. 1, including a streak of 281 consecutive weeks. His signature red shirt on Sundays became iconic, symbolizing his competitive fire.
Resilience, Scandal, and Comeback
In 2008, Woods won the U.S. Open despite severe knee injuries, calling it his greatest major victory. After surgery, he missed 10 months of