Nina Caldwell
Eldrick Tont Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer who turned pro in 1996 at the age of 20. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time and is tied for first in PGA Tour wins. Woods has had a dominant career in golf, with his presence being a necessity for golf events to draw significant interest. However, Woods has been out of action since suffering a torn Achilles tendon injury earlier this year. He recently pulled out of the Genesis Invitational, citing that he was still processing his mother's loss. Despite his recent absence from tournaments, Woods continues to be a prominent figure in the golfing world, with his health and potential return to competition closely followed by fans and media outlets alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eldrick Tont Woods |
| Nickname | Tiger |
| Birthdate | December 30, 1975 |
| Birthplace | Cypress, CA |
| Alma Mater | Stanford University |
| College Major | Golf |
| Profession | Golfer |
| Turned Pro | 1996 |
| Total Wins | 82 |
| Current Status | Recovering from an Achilles injury |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Tiger Woods' golf career
Tiger Woods is a professional golfer with an impressive career spanning several decades. He turned pro in 1996 after attending Stanford University, where he won 10 collegiate events in two years. As an amateur, he compiled one of the most impressive records in golf history, winning six USGA national championships.
Woods has won 82 official PGA Tour events, including 15 majors. He became the youngest golfer to achieve the Career Grand Slam at 24 and was the first golfer ever to hold all four professional major championship titles simultaneously. He won the 2000 British Open at St. Andrews, becoming the youngest to complete the Career Grand Slam of professional major championships.
Woods has made golf history several times. In the 2000 U.S. Open, he broke or tied nine tournament records, winning by a record 15-stroke margin. He was named Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, the only athlete to be so honoured twice. When he won the 2001 Masters, he became the only player to win four consecutive major professional golf titles, an achievement known as the "Tiger Slam".
Woods has been ranked as the greatest closer in history by multiple golf experts. He has the lowest career scoring average and the largest career earnings of any player in PGA Tour history. He was selected as the Player of the Year by the PGA TOUR, the PGA of America, and the Golf Writers Association of America multiple times.
Woods has not competed in the 2025 U.S. Open as he continues to rehab from a torn Achilles. He also recently pulled out of The Genesis Invitational, citing that he was still processing his mother's loss. However, he was seen playing golf with his son and President Donald Trump.
Obama's Golf Game: A Questionable Funeral Absence
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Recent injuries
Tiger Woods has been no stranger to injuries throughout his career. Most recently, in March 2025, Woods underwent surgery on his left Achilles tendon, which ruptured during training. This injury caused him to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational in June 2025, with Woods stating that he was “just not ready” to participate.
Prior to this, in September 2024, Woods underwent surgery to repair a nerve impingement in his lower back, which is believed to have been his sixth back surgery. In 2024, Woods only played in five events, including a withdrawal at the Genesis Invitational, a last-place finish at the Masters, and missed cuts in the final three majors of the season.
In February 2021, Woods was involved in a serious single-vehicle accident outside of Los Angeles, sustaining significant injuries to his right leg and ankle. He suffered comminuted open fractures to both the upper and lower sections of his right leg and severe trauma to his right ankle. Woods underwent extensive surgery, requiring a rod, screws, and pins to stabilize his leg. He made a remarkable recovery and returned to golf in 2022, competing in the Masters and the PGA Championship.
Woods has also had a history of knee injuries, dating back to 2002 when he had surgery to remove fluid from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his left knee. In 2008, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage to the same knee and was later revealed to have stress fractures in his left tibia. Following his win at the 2008 U.S. Open, Woods had reconstructive surgery on his left knee's ACL. In 2011, he experienced another setback with a sprain of the MCL ligament in his left knee and a strain to the left Achilles tendon, causing him to miss several major tournaments.
Golf Bird Sounds: Real or Fake?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$16.1 $18.95
His influence on the sport
Tiger Woods is a golf legend, and his influence on the sport is undeniable. Woods grew up in Orange County, California, and was introduced to golf before the age of two by his athletic father, Earl Woods, an amateur golfer and one of the earliest African-American college baseball players at Kansas State University.
Woods himself was a child prodigy, appearing in Golf Digest and on ABC's That's Incredible! at age five. He went on to win numerous junior golf competitions and broke 80 at age eight, an impressive feat. Woods's career includes many notable achievements, such as winning four consecutive major professional golf titles, an accomplishment known as the "Tiger Slam."
Woods's success has led to a huge fanbase and following, resulting in significant growth in golf's publicity and popularity. His influence is seen in the way golfers dress, with Nike and Woods creating the brand "TW," transforming the traditional country club attire into athletic apparel. Woods's swing has also influenced many modern tour players, who have mimicked his movements to achieve similar ball-striking capabilities and distances.
Woods has set new standards and playstyles, creating precedents for aspiring golfers to strive for and records to break. His influence on the sport's legacy is significant, and he has helped innovate and expand golf competitively and economically. Woods's impact on golf is extensive and far-reaching, and he remains one of the most influential players in the sport's history.
The Path to Scratch: Mastering Golf
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Golfing with Donald Trump
Golfing is one of Donald Trump's passions. He started acquiring and constructing golf courses in 1999, and by 2016, he owned 17 golf courses worldwide through his holding company, the Trump Organization. Courses owned by Trump have hosted various PGA and LPGA events, including the 2017 Senior PGA Championship and the 2022 PGA Championship. In 2014, the Professional Golfers' Association of America announced a multi-year partnership with the Trump Organization.
Trump's love for golf has also influenced American diplomacy. For example, he played golf with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, five times, helping them become personally close. Similarly, after Trump's victory in the 2024 US presidential election, the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, started playing golf again to benefit his country during Trump's presidency.
Trump's involvement in the sport has also sparked controversy. Following the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021, the PGA terminated its partnership with Trump and chose to host the 2022 PGA Championship elsewhere. This decision was met with backlash from a spokesman for the Trump Organization, who claimed it was a "breach of a binding contract." Additionally, Trump's decision to maintain ownership of his golf business while serving as president raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Trump has also been known to golf with other notable figures, including Tiger Woods. Woods, a legendary golfer, played a round with Trump and his son before the 2020 Super Bowl. While Woods has been absent from the PGA Tour due to rehab from a torn Achilles and the passing of his mother, he is set to return to Torrey later in the week.
Golfing Presidents: Who Swung the Most?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
His absence from the 2025 U.S. Open
Tiger Woods, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time, will be notably absent from the 2025 U.S. Open. This will be the third major in a row and the fourth time in five years that Woods has missed the tournament. The 49-year-old is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, an injury that has kept him out of the entire 2025 golf season.
Woods' absence from the U.S. Open is significant because of his legendary status in the sport. He is tied for first in PGA Tour wins, ranks second in men's major championships, and holds numerous golf records. For years, his presence was seen as a necessity for a golf event to draw significant interest from the wider sports world. However, as his absences have become more common, other stars have stepped into the spotlight, including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Despite not competing, Woods still made his presence felt at the 2025 U.S. Open. In a short video, he captured what makes Oakmont a beloved U.S. Open venue, explaining that execution on every shot is a must and that there is no faking it around the course. Woods knows the kind of brutal test that Oakmont presents, having come painfully close to winning his third U.S. Open title there in 2007, finishing tied for second behind Angel Cabrera.
Woods has not competed on the PGA Tour since his mother's death in February 2025. He released a statement in June 2025, saying that he would not be participating in The Genesis Invitational as he was still processing her loss. Woods' mother, Kultida, was instrumental in his success, and he paid tribute to her after her death, saying that "without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible."
Golf Galaxy Trade-Ins: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Tiger Woods is still playing golf. However, he is not currently competing in tournaments due to a torn Achilles injury.
No, Tiger Woods will not be competing in the 2025 U.S. Open. He is still rehabilitating from a torn Achilles injury.
Tiger Woods is tied for first in PGA Tour wins, ranks second in men's major championships, and holds numerous golf records. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
Tiger Woods turned professional in 1996 at the age of 20. By the end of April 1997, he had won three PGA Tour events and his first major, the 1997 Masters, which he won by 12 strokes. He reached number one in the Official World Golf Ranking in June 1997. Throughout his career, he has won numerous tournaments and is a five-time Masters winner.
