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Tiger
Woods
Eldrick
"Tiger" Woods was born on December 30, 1975 in
Cypress, California and now resides in Orlando, Florida. His
parents are Earl and Kultida Woods, and Tiger is their only
child. Just in case you care, Tiger is 6'2" and weighs
around 160-170 lbs. Eldrick attended Western High School. He
was a student at Stanford University, but dropped out to become
a professional golfer in his junior year.
Tiger
is not completely of African-American descent. Earl Woods,
his father, is half black, one-quarter American Indian and
one-quarter Chinese. Kultida is half Thai, one-quarter Chinese
and one-quarter white. After mastering the ameteur world of
golf by winning the U.S. Ameteur three times (1994, 95, and
96) and winning the U.S. Junior Ameteur three times also (1991,
92, 93), he decided to turn professional. Nike sponsored him
for $60 million dollars along with Titleist for just $1 million.
His very happy agent is Hughes Norton of International Management
Group (IMG). His first tournament as a pro was on August 29,
1996 at the Greater Milwaukee Open, in which he tied for 60th
place. His first win was the Los Vegas Invitational in which
he defeated Davis Love III in sudden death. He went on to
win the Disney Classic two tournaments later. Do you want
to know what he carries in his bag?? He uses a special bore-thru
Cobra Driver, a Titleist PT 15 degree three wood. He uses
Mizuno MP29 Irons (2-PW), a Cleveland 56 degree SW, and a
Watson Lob Wedge (Tiger will drop his lob wedge for a King
Cobra Norman Grind 1 iron on tighter courses). His putter
is a Titleist Scotty Cameron putter (Newport Model) with Terryillium
Inlays and Balata dots on the back. He uses Titleist Pro 90
balls and his glove is Titleist. All of his clothes and shoes
are Nike, of course.
His
caddy is Mike "Fluff" Cowan, and is coached by Butch
Harmon. Cowan is an 18-year veteran of the PGA tour.
PGA TOUR VICTORIES: (28) 1996 Las Vegas Invitational, Walt
Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic. 1997 Mercedes Championships,
Masters Tournament, GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic, Motorola
Western Open. 1998 BellSouth Classic. 1999 Buick Invitational,
Memorial Tournament,Motorola Western Open, PGA Championship,
WGC NEC Invitational, National Car Rental Golf Classic/Disney,
THE TOUR Championship, WGC American Express Championship.
2000 Mercedes Championships, AT&T Pebble Beach National
Pro-Am, Bay Hill Invitational,Memorial Tournament, U.S. Open
Championship, British Open Championship, PGA Championship,
WGC-NEC Invitational, Bell Canadian Open. 2001 Bay Hill Invitational,
THE PLAYERS Championship, Masters Tournament, Memorial Tournament.
INTERNATIONAL VICTORIES: 1997 Asian Honda Classic. 1998 Johnnie
Walker Classic (Asia). 1999 Deutsche Bank Open - TPC of Europe
(Eur).; 2000 Johnnie Walker Classic. CURRENT YEAR PGA TOUR
MONEY AND POSITION: $4,235,857 (1), CURRENT YEAR PGA TOUR
BEST FINISHES: 1 -- Bay Hill Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship,
Masters Tournament, Memorial Tournament; T3 -- Verizon Byron
Nelson Classic; 4 -- Buick Invitational; T5 -- Phoenix Open;
T8 -- Mercedes Championships. CURRENT YEAR PGA TOUR BEST ROUND:
63 at Round 4, Verizon Byron Nelson Classic
BEST
2000 PGA TOUR FINISH: 1 -- Mercedes Championships, AT&T
Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Bay Hill Invitational, Memorial
Tournament, U.S. Open Championship, British Open Championship,
PGA Championship, WGC-NEC Invitational, Bell Canadian Open;
2 -- WGC-Andersen Consulting Match Play, THE PLAYERS Championship,
THE TOUR Championship, Buick Invitational; 3 -- National Car
Rental Golf Classic Disney; T4 -- GTE Byron Nelson Classic;
5 -- Masters Tournament, WGC-American Express Championship
2000
SEASON: Fashioned one of the greatest seasons in the history
of the sport and in the process assured a place among the
best to ever play the game. ... Highlights included three
consecutive major championship titles and career Grand Slam,
nine PGA TOUR victories and TOUR single-season earnings record
of $8,286,821. ... An eight-stroke British Open victory lifted
him into company of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and
Jack Nicklaus as holders of career Grand Slams and at the
age of 24 was the youngest to do so. ... Became only the second
player to win three majors in one season, joining Ben Hogan
(1953). ... Was 53-under par in four majors, next-best mark
was 18-under by Ernie Els. ... His nine TOUR victories in
a season were the most since Sam Snead won 11 in 1950. ...
His 20th career win at U.S. Open made him youngest player
in TOUR history to win 20 times. ... Started the season in
historic fashion, with wins at Mercedes Championships and
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, giving him victories
in six consecutive appearances, becoming first player since
Hogan in 1948 to do so. Finished T2, four strokes back of
Phil Mickelson in attempt to win seventh consecutive start
at Buick Invitational. ... At the Mercedes Championships,
shared 54-hole lead with Ernie Els and after both players
eagled the 72nd hole to remain tied, won playoff with birdie
on second extra hole. ... Beginning final round of AT&T
Pebble Beach National Pro-Am was five strokes back of Mark
Brooks and Matt Gogel. On the back nine, trailed Gogel by
seven with seven holes to play but eagle-birdie-par-birdie
finish and final-round 64 good for two-stroke win over Gogel
and Vijay Singh.
T2
at Buick Invitational earned him $264,000 and he took over
top spot on TOUR's career money list from Davis Love III,
who had been No.1 for three weeks. ... After T18 at Nissan
Open, reached the finals of the WGC -- Andersen Consulting
Match Play Championship, losing to Darren Clarke 4 and 3.
... Rounds of 69-64 earned 36-hole lead at Bay Hill Invitational,
which me maintained with closing 67-70 for 10th victory in
16 starts. ... A week later, was runnerup to Hal Sutton at
THE PLAYERS Championship by one stroke. ... Finished fifth
at the Masters Tournament after opening 75-72 and coming back
with 68-69 on weekend. In first-round 75, made double bogey
on 10 and triple bogey on 12. ... At GTE Byron Nelson Classic,
closing 63 matched low round of tournament and lifted him
to T4. ... In next start, held three-stroke lead through 54
holes at Deutsche Bank SAP Open before finishing third behind
Lee Westwood. Marked first time since 1996, he had not won
after holding 54-hole lead. ... A week later, successfully
defended a title for the first time with win at Memorial Tournament.
... At U.S. Open, won by a major championship record 15 strokes
(old record: Tom Morris, Sr., 13 at 1864 British Open) with
rounds of 65-69-71-67--272 (-12) at Pebble Beach. His score
tied a U.S. Open record held by Jack Nicklaus and Lee Janzen
and his 12-under total broke record in relation to par. ...
Following a T23 at Advil Western Open, completed career grand
slam with eight-stroke victory over Thomas Bjorn and Ernie
Els at British Open. With rounds of 67-68-67-69--269 (19-under),
at St. Andrews, broke British Open and major championship
record in relation to par. ... In head-to-head battle with
fellow California junior star Bob May, won PGA Championship
in three-hole playoff. With victory, became first player since
Denny Shute in 1936-37 to defend PGA Championship. Playing
in the final twosome of the day, both players shot back-nine
31s, with Woods birdieng the final two holes to force playoff,
where he went birdie-par-par (3-4-5) for win. Rounds of 66-67-70-67--270
(18-under) gave him share of most under-par record with May.
The following week, successfully defended another title at
the WGC -- NEC World Series of Golf by 11 strokes over Justin
Leonard and Phillip Price. Started week with 64-61--125 to
set an all-time PGA TOUR record for opening rounds. On the
weekend, added a pair of 67s and finished at 21-under-par
259 for a Firestone South record. ... In next start, out of
a fairway bunker on the 72nd hole, faded a six-iron from 213
yards over water to within 15 feet for eagle putt to secure
a one-stroke victory over Grant Waite at the Bell Canadian
Open. Joined Lee Trevino (1971) as only players to win U.S.,
British and Canadian Opens in same year and received Triple
Crown Trophy from Royal Canadian Golf Association. ... A member
of victorious U.S. Presidents Cup team. ... Closed official
season with third place in defense of National Car Rental
Golf Classic at Walt Disney World Resort, a second place in
defense of THE TOUR Championship and T5 in defense of WGC-American
Express Championship. ... At year's end, voted by his peers
the PGA TOUR Player of the Year (Jack Nicklaus Award); the
PGA of America Player of the Year for third time in four years;
winner of the Byron Nelson Award and Vardon Trophy for lowest
scoring average; the Arnold Palmer Award as leading money
winner; the GWAA Player of the Year; the Mark H. McCormack
Award for leading Official World Golf Ranking for most weeks;
the Andersen Consulting Medal for best performance in WGC
events; the Palm Performance Award as leading money winner
on TOUR West Coast Swing; the Fall Finish Award presented
by PricewaterhouseCoopers as leading money winner on TOUR's
fall schedule.
Set or tied 27 records during the course of the season. His
actual scoring average of 68.17 set a new scoring average
mark, besting Sam Snead's 50-year-old 69.23 record and Byron
Nelson's 68.33 unofficial mark, set in 1945...Named Sports
Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in December, the first two-time
recipient (also won in 1996) in the 46-year history of the
award...Named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, becoming
only three-time winner of award.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Turned professional in 1996 at Greater
Milwaukee Open, where he finished T60, and followed with two
victories and three top-10s in only eight starts. ... First
top-10 came at Quad City Classic, where he finished T5 after
holding a one-stroke lead through 54 holes. ... Began final
round of Las Vegas Invitational four strokes back, closed
with 64 to force playoff with Davis Love III, then parred
first extra hole for first TOUR win. Earned $297,000 and was
first sponsor’s exemption to win TOUR event since Phil
Mickelson at 1991 Northern Telecom Open. ... Finished third
the following week at LaCantera Texas Open. ... At Walt Disney
World/Oldsmobile Classic, shot closing 66 for one-stroke win.
... Named PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. Also named Sports Illustrated’s
Sportsman of the Year, becoming youngest to receive honor
since gymnast Mary Lou Retton in 1984. ... In 1997, PGA TOUR
Player of the Year, a season that included four victories
and nine top-10 finishes. ... Highlight of year came at Masters
Tournament, where rounds of 70-66-65-69-270 set 72-hole record.
His 12-stroke margin of victory, another Masters record, was
fourth best in TOUR history. ... In first start after Masters,
won GTE Byron Nelson Classic and later in summer captured
Motorola Western Open. ... Prior to Masters, won first event
of 1997 season at rain-shortened Mercedes Championships, defeating
Tom Lehman on first playoff hole. ... Member of 1997 Ryder
Cup Team, named PGA of America and Golf Writers Association
of America Player of the Year for 1997, Associated Press chose
his Masters win top sports story of 1997, and followed by
his designation as AP’s Male Athlete of the Year (first
golfer to be so honored in 26 years). ... In 1999, his TOUR-record
$6,616,585 was nearly $3 million more than his nearest competitor,
David Duval. Was named PGA TOUR Player of the Year, PGA of
America and GWAA Player of the Year for second time. ... Made
the cut in all 21 tournaments, extending his TOUR-best streak
to 39 consecutive over last two seasons. ... Earned his eighth
career TOUR title and first since 1998 BellSouth Classic with
two-stroke victory in Buick Invitational. Trailed by nine
strokes through 36 holes, but with Torrey Pines South Course-record
62, took one-stroke lead heading into final round and closed
with 65 for share of tournament record (266). ... In May,
earned third international victory at European Tour’s
Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Germany. ... A week later, earned
ninth TOUR victory at Memorial Tournament, defeating Vijay
Singh by two strokes. ... Regained No. 1 position from Duval
in Official World Golf Ranking following third victory of
season and 10th of career at Motorola Western Open. ... Beecame
youngest player since Seve Ballesteros to win two majors with
his victory at PGA Championship. ... Became first player since
Nick Price in 1994 to win five TOUR events in season with
his win at World Golf Championships -- NEC Invitational. ...
Won his next start at National Car Rental Golf Classic at
Walt Disney World Resort to become first player since Tom
Watson in 1980 to win six official TOUR titles in season.
... The next week won his third consecutive start at THE TOUR
Championship, becoming the first player since Duval in 1997
to accomplish that feat. ... Following week won the World
Golf Championships -- American Express Championship and became
first player since Johnny Miller in 1974 to win eight times
in year and first since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win four consecutive
starts. ... His 16 top-10s were the most in a single season
since Payne Stewart had 16 in 1986. ... In 1998, earned second
international victory at Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand,
defeating Ernie Els on second playoff hole, overcoming eight-stroke
deficit to force playoff with Els. ... Earned seventh TOUR
victory with one-stroke win over Jay Don Blake at BellSouth
Classic. ... Won the 1998, 1999 and 2000 PGA Grand Slam of
Golf. ... Along with Mark O'Meara, won the 1999 World Cup
of Golf for the U.S. and was medalist by nine strokes. ...
Won 1999, 2000 Andersen Consulting Medal for best combined
performance in three WGC events. ... Won 1991, 1992 and 1993
U.S. Junior Amateur Championships when no one before or since
has won more than one. ... In 1994, at TPC at Sawgrass, became
youngest winner of U.S. Amateur at age 18. The following year,
became first to successfully defend U.S. Amateur title since
Jay Sigel in 1993. In 1996, became first player to win three
consecutive U.S. Amateur titles. Owns U.S. Amateur records
for consecutive match-play victories (18) and winning percentage
(.909). His six consecutive years of winning a USGA championship
are second only to Bobby Jones’ eight. ... Made cut in
four of six major championships as amateur and was low amateur
at 1995 Masters and 1996 British Open. ... Named year’s
top amateur player by Golf Digest and Golfweek in 1992 and
Golf World in 1992 and 1993. Golf World’s "Man of
the Year" in 1994. ... Won 1996 NCAA Championship and
was named Collegiate Player of the Year. ... Joined Jack Nicklaus
and Phil Mickelson as the only players to win NCAA and U.S.
Amateur in same year.
PERSONAL:Nicknamed "Tiger" after a Vietnamese soldier
who was a friend of his father’s in Vietnam...Putted
against Bob Hope on the "Mike Douglas Show" at age
2, shot 48 for nine holes at age 3 and was featured in Golf
Digest at age 5. ... In Feb. 1998, named to Blackwell’s
Best-Dressed List. ... Eighth athlete to be named Wheaties
permanent rep, following Bob Richards (1958), Bruce Jenner
(1977), Mary Lou Retton (1984), Pete Rose (1985), Walter Payton
(1986), Chris Evert (1987) and Michael Jordan (1988). ...
Tiger Woods Foundation, chaired by father Earl, created to
provide minority participation in golf and related activities.
... Foundation has pledged its full support to World Golf
Foundation’s "The First Tee" program. ... In
1997 won Sports Star of the Year Award, given to athletes
who combine excellence in their sports with significant charitable
endeavors. ... In 2000, on the cover of "Time" magazine,
40 years after Arnold Palmer became first golfer so honored.
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