Harper Lin
Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He turned professional in 1996 and by the end of April 1997, he had won three PGA Tour events in addition to his first major, the 1997 Masters. Woods was the dominant force in golf throughout the first decade of the 21st century. However, in recent years, Woods has been absent from several major golf tournaments due to injuries, including a ruptured Achilles tendon. While he has returned to the golf course alongside his son Charlie in the PNC Championship tournament, Woods is yet to make a competitive return to the PGA Tour and his timeline for a comeback remains unknown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current golfing status | Recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon |
| Recent tournaments missed | 2025 PGA Championship, 2025 U.S. Open |
| Recent tournaments attended | PNC Championship tournament, TGL (tech-infused indoor golf league) |
| Future tournaments | 2025 Genesis Invitational (withdrawn), 2025 Masters (uncertain) |
| Career status | Past prime, relying on special exemptions |
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What You'll Learn
Tiger Woods' golfing career
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He is tied for first in PGA Tour wins, ranks second in men's major championships, and holds numerous golf records. Woods turned professional in 1996 at the age of 20. By the end of April 1997, he had won three PGA Tour events in addition to his first major, the 1997 Masters, which he won by 12 strokes in a record-breaking performance. He reached number one in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in June 1997, less than a year after turning pro.
Woods compiled one of the most impressive amateur records in golf history, winning six USGA national championships before turning professional. He concluded his amateur career by winning an unprecedented third consecutive U.S. Amateur title, finishing with a record 18 consecutive match-play victories. The week after winning his third U.S. Amateur title, Woods played his first tournament as a professional in the Greater Milwaukee Open. Woods was able to generate such club speed that he routinely hit drives of more than 300 yards. His booming long game, coupled with his expert putting and chipping and his reputation for mental toughness, made him an intimidating opponent and a popular player among fans.
Woods is the career victories leader among active players on the PGA Tour and is the career money list leader. He has won 82 official PGA Tour events, including 15 majors. He is 14–1 when going into the final round of a major with at least a share of the lead. Multiple golf experts have heralded Woods as "the greatest closer in history". He has the lowest career scoring average and the largest career earnings of any player in PGA Tour history.
Woods has been described as the "ultimate endorser" for Nike Golf, frequently seen wearing Nike gear during tournaments, and even in advertisements for other products. Woods receives a percentage of the sales of Nike Golf apparel, footwear, golf equipment, and golf balls. In 2002, Woods was involved in every aspect of the launch of Buick's Rendezvous SUV. In February 2004, Buick renewed Woods's endorsement contract for another five years, in a deal reportedly worth $40 million. Woods also endorsed the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series of video games and has done so since 1999.
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Woods' injuries and health
Tiger Woods has had a long history of injuries that have impacted his golfing career. In 2006, Woods injured a muscle in his left shoulder blade, but still managed to win the World Golf Championships-American Express. In 2007, he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and underwent surgery to repair it in 2008. That same year, he also suffered a double stress fracture in his left tibia and a torn Achilles tendon, which he kept private until 2010.
In 2011, Woods experienced issues with his knee, Achilles tendon, and calf, causing him to withdraw from the Players Championship. He was diagnosed with a mild MCL sprain and a mild strain to his left Achilles tendon. In 2013 and 2014, Woods faced a challenging period of back problems, including back spasms and a pinched nerve that required surgery and caused him to miss several PGA Tour events.
In 2016, Woods announced his intention to return to competition following rehabilitation. However, in 2021, he suffered "significant" injuries in a car accident, including open fractures in his right leg and trauma to his right ankle, requiring emergency surgery. He underwent another surgery in 2023 to address post-traumatic arthritis in his right ankle caused by the car accident.
More recently, in March 2025, Woods ruptured his left Achilles tendon during training, requiring surgery and causing him to miss the 2025 PGA Championship. Woods has expressed a focus on his long-term health and career, indicating that he is making progress but has no timetable for a return to competitive golf.
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Woods' golfing endorsements
Tiger Woods, born Eldrick Tont Woods, is an American professional golfer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time and is one of the most famous athletes in modern history. Woods has had a highly successful career, holding numerous golf records and ranking first in the Official World Golf Ranking for 683 weeks.
Woods has been described as the "ultimate endorser" for Nike Golf, frequently seen wearing Nike gear during tournaments and in advertisements for other products. In 1996, Woods signed his first endorsement deal with Nike, a five-year contract worth $40 million. He has since signed two more five-year endorsement contracts with Nike, the second in 2001 worth $100 million, and the third in 2013 worth $200 million. In addition to Nike, Woods has signed sponsorship deals with various other companies, including 2K Sports, Autograph, Bridgestone, Full Swing, Kowa Company Ltd., Monster Energy, Rolex, TaylorMade, and Upper Deck.
Woods has also partnered with automotive companies, such as Buick, for which he was involved in the launch of the Rendezvous SUV in 2002. Buick renewed Woods's endorsement contract for another five years in 2004, in a deal reportedly worth $40 million. In 2005, Woods collaborated with TAG Heuer to develop the world's first professional golf watch, which won the prestigious iF product design award in 2006. Woods has also endorsed the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series of video games since 1999, signing a six-year contract with Electronic Arts in 2006. In 2007, he became an ambassador for the "Gillette Champions" marketing campaign alongside Roger Federer and Thierry Henry.
In addition to his endorsements, Woods has also made investments in various ventures. In 2022, he co-founded TMRW Sports, a tech-focused venture that launched a new golf league called TGL in 2025. Woods is also a partner in Nexxus, a luxury real-estate venture, and has founded his own golf-course design business and high-end mini-golf chain called Popstroke. Woods has earned approximately $1.8 billion throughout his professional golf career, including a PGA Tour-record $121 million in prize money, and has been certified as a billionaire by Forbes.
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Woods' golfing records
Tiger Woods has achieved many golfing records throughout his career. Woods has won 82 official PGA Tour events, tying with Sam Snead and nine more than Jack Nicklaus's 73 wins. Woods has won 15 majors, second only to Jack Nicklaus' 18. He is one of six players to have won all four professional major championships in his career, known as the Career Grand Slam, and was the youngest to do so at age 24.
Woods is the only player to have won all four professional major championships in a row, accomplishing the feat in the 2000-2001 seasons, known as the "Tiger Slam". Woods set the all-time PGA Tour record for most consecutive cuts made, with 142. He has been the PGA Player of the Year a record eleven times, PGA Tour Player of the Year a record eleven times, and PGA Tour Money Leader a record ten times. Woods holds the record for most weeks as world number one at 683, as well as most consecutive weeks at 281.
Woods is the only golfer to have won the U.S. Amateur three consecutive times (1994-1996). He holds the record for the largest winning margin at the Open (since 1900), winning by eight strokes in 2000. Woods is the only player to successfully defend the PGA Championship twice, winning back-to-back titles in 1999/2000 and 2006/2007. He also holds the record for most World Matchplay tournament wins with three.
Woods has amassed the most career earnings of any player in PGA Tour history. He is the only player to win the US Junior, US Amateur, and US Open, doing so three times each. Woods has won at least five consecutive tournaments three times in his career. He holds the record for the longest drive in the history of the PGA Tour, with a 498-yard drive in 2002.
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Woods' golfing legacy
Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time and is one of the most famous athletes globally. 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 in a record-breaking performance. He reached number one in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in June 1997, less than a year after turning pro.
Woods's influence extends beyond tournaments, shaping the future of golf with his charisma and competitive spirit. Before Woods, professional golf was largely seen as a sport for the affluent. However, his rise encouraged many enthusiasts from varied backgrounds to take up the sport, inspiring a new generation of golfers and increasing participation rates across the globe. Woods has been described as the "ultimate endorser" for Nike Golf, and he has endorsed other brands such as Buick, TAG Heuer, and Gillette.
Woods's career hit a slump in 2003 and 2004, during which he did not win any majors. In September 2004, Vijay Singh overtook Woods in the Official World Golf Rankings, ending Woods's record streak of 264 weeks at number one. Woods rebounded in 2005, winning six PGA Tour events and reclaiming the top spot in July. In 2006, Woods took some time off from the tour following the death of his father, and he appeared rusty upon his return.
Woods has faced several challenges in recent years, including a life-threatening car accident in February 2021 that led to substantial rehabilitation. He made a triumphant return to golf at the 2022 Masters Tournament, signalling an ambitious comeback from injury. Woods has continually expressed his desire to compete at a high level, and he announced his plans to participate in the upcoming PGA Tour events in July 2023. Woods is currently recovering and rehabilitating from a ruptured Achilles injury he suffered in March 2025, causing him to miss the PGA Championship for the third time in the last five years. Despite his recent struggles, Woods's legacy in golf remains unwavering, and he is still considered a legend in the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
Tiger Woods is still a professional golfer, but he has not played competitively since The Open at Royal Troon in July 2024. He is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He is tied for first in PGA Tour wins and ranks second in men's major championships. He also holds numerous golf records.
Tiger Woods has not announced his 2025 schedule yet. He was expected to return to the PGA Tour at the 2025 Genesis Invitational, but he withdrew.
Yes, Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open in 2008 at Torrey Pines.
Tiger Woods is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. He is also mourning the death of his mother, Kultida.
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