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. Nicknamed Tiger after a Vietnamese soldier and friend of his father, Vuong Dang Phong, to whom his father had also given that nickname. Father, Earl, 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. Named Golf Digest Player of the Year (1991 and 1992), Golf World Player of the Year (1992 and 1993), Golfweek National Amateur of the Year (1992), Golf World Man of the Year (1994), and Fred Haskins and Jack Nicklaus College Player of the Year awards (1996.) 1996 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. 15 June 1997: in his 42nd week as a professional, Woods became the youngest-ever No. 1 golfer at age 21 years, 24 weeks. Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year (1997 and 1999). An only child, although Earl had children from a previous marriage. Tiger Woods Foundation promotes parental responsibility and involvement in the lives of children. Underwent laser eye surgery in 1999 and now endorses TLC Laser Eye Centers. His nickname on the Stanford golf team was Urkel. His mother made the Tiger club cover in his bag with the words "Love from Mom" in Thai stitched on it. Wears a red shirt on the final day of every tournament because his mother feels that it is a "power color" for him. 2000 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (making him the only athlete to win the award twice). [2000] Signed a 5-year, $100 million endorsing contract with Nike. As of May, 2003 it remains the largest endorsing deal ever signed by an athlete. Has his own line of Golf Watches. Won the 2003 American Express Championship [October 5th, 2003] Shares a birthday with NBA superstar LeBron James. April 10, 2005, won the Masters for the fourth time. Married long-time girlfriend and Swedish model Elin Nordegren in October 2004. 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. Next door neighbor in Florida of Mark O'Mera, another professional golfer and a fellow Masters champion like Woods. Tiger and Mark have a close friendship. Woods also has a close friendship with golfing legend Jack Nickalus, a man who has claimed Tiger Woods as "the greatest golfer of all time." Went to the same high school in Santa Monica, California as popular celebrity Carson Daly. They both were members of the golf team there. Tiger has made guest appearances on Dalys "TRL" on MTV and "Last Call" on NBC. "Tiger Tames Augusta National" (becoming the first black winner of the Masters golf tournament on 13 April 1997) was ranked #2 in TV Guide's list of the "25 Most Awesome Sports Moments (of the last 15 years)". [17 July 2005 issue] Was #5 on the annual Forbes magazine Celebrity 100 list in 2006 In July 2006 at the age of 30, Woods won his third British Open, his 11th Major Championship. The win moved him to second place on the all-time major championship list (tied with Walter Hagen) and seven behind Jack Nicklaus, who has the record at 18. Good friends with fellow golfer Darren Clarke.