At age 21, Tiger Woods became the youngest Masters champ and the first golfer since Jerry Pate in 1976 to win in the first major he played. In 1997, Woods took the lead at the Augusta golf classic and then put on a golf clinic never seen before. He fired a 3-under-par 69 and broke the tournament 72-hole record with an unbelievable 18-under 270. The 12-stroke margin of victory was the largest in Masters history. Woods was chosen as the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and ESPY Male Athlete of the Year in 1997. He was also one of the most accomplished amateur golfers in history, winning six USGA national championships, an NCAA title during his two years at Stanford University, and an unprecedented three consecutive U.S. Amateur Championships. He finished first on the PGA Tour five times in 1999. More importantly, Woods opened wide a door of society in becoming the first African American, as well as the first Asian American, to win a major. Woods was granted dual citizenship by the Thai government (his mother, Kultida, is Thai) in 1997 prior to playing in the Asian Honda Classic. Woods has captured the hearts and imaginations of even non-golf fans around the world. Affable and good looking, he became an international star and a prime endorser of golfing equipment and apparel. Born Eldrick Woods on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, his distinctive nickname "Tiger" came from his father Earl's Green Beret army past. "Tiger" had been the moniker of a South Vietnamese officer who saved Earl's life on several occasions. As a child, Woods was one of junior golf's most accomplished players. He putted against Bob Hope on the The Mike Douglas Show at the improbable age of 2, shot 48 for nine holes at age 3, and was featured in "Golf Digest" at age 5. Woods won several major youth titles in southern California. He won three straight U.S. Amateur titles in 1994, 1995, and 1996 after winning three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur titles in 1991, 1992, and 1993. He turned professional in the summer of 1996, and the game of golf hasn't been the same since. Sense of humor intact, Woods once observed, "Hockey is a sport for white men. Basketball is a sport for black men. Golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps."


Attended Stanford University but left before graduating in order to pursue his golfing career. Father, Earl Woods, was a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. He died on May 3, 2006, age 74. Mother, Kultida, is a native of Thailand. Earl was half black, one-quarter American Indian and one-quarter Chinese. Kultida is half Thai, one-quarter Chinese and one-quarter white. Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1996 and 2000, making him the first athlete to win the award twice. Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2006. Tiger Woods Foundation promotes parental responsibility and involvement in the lives of children. His nickname on the Stanford golf team was Urkel. Wears a red shirt on the final day of every tournament because his mother feels that it is a "power color" for him. 2000: Signed a five-year, $100-million endorsement contract with Nike. As of 5/03 it remains the largest endorsement deal ever signed by an athlete. Won the American Express Championship six times between 1999 and 2007. Enjoys working out, boating, water sports, fishing and car racing. The popular Nike TV commercial with him doing the "ball trick" was basically his creation. It was a routine Tiger would do at times when he was hitting balls or practicing just to goof off. Nike took the idea and turned it into an advertisement. No special effects or computer work was used, Tiger did the trick completely on his own, all in one take. Went to the same high school in Santa Monica, CA, as Carson Daly. They both were members of the golf team there. Tiger has made guest appearances on Daly's "Total Request Live" (1998) on MTV and "Last Call with Carson Daly" (2002) on NBC. 2006: Was #5 on the annual Forbes magazine Celebrity 100 list. Good friends with fellow golfer Darren Clarke. Has two half-brothers, Earl Jr. and Kevin, and a half-sister, Royce. Good friends with tennis superstar Roger Federer. Good friends with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his 2006 earnings to be $100 million, largely the result of a lucrative advertising deal with Nike, Buick, and other brands. Ranked #2 in the 2008 Forbes The Celebrity 100 list. Son, Charlie Axel, born February 8, 2009.