Golfing stars profile – Tiger Woods

Who is Tiger Woods?
Tiger Woods is one of the biggest household names in the golfing world. With 106 professional wins to his name, the PGA Tour champion is one of the most successful golfers of all time.

Where did he come from?
Born in California in 1975, Woods was something of a child prodigy when it came to golf. Like Rory McIlroy, Woods was introduced to the sport by his father Earl, himself an amateur golfer. By the age of three, Woods’ golfing skills were impressive – he shot a 48 over nine holes on one course. Over the next few years, his list of achievements grew, culminating in six wins at the Junior World Championships from the age of 13.

How did he rise to the top?
Aged 15, Woods became the youngest-ever US Junior Amateur champion. After enrolling at Stanford University under a golf scholarship, his amateur career continued, and at the age of 19, Woods took part in his first PGA Tour – the only amateur to make it through.

It wasn’t until two years later that Woods won his first tournament, although he turned pro at the age of 20. His first big win was the Masters in 1997, where he became the tournament’s youngest-ever winner. Two years later, he finished the 1999 season with a massive eight wins – including the PGA Championship.
  

What are his key achievements?
Woods has 106 professional wins under his belt, which makes him one of the most successful golfers to date. He’s also broken a huge number of records. Aged 21, he set the record for the fastest ascent to the top of the Official World Golf Rankings, and three years later, he became the youngest golfer to achieve the Career Grand Slam.

After his 2001 Masters victory, Woods became the only golfer to hold four major pro titles at once. Over the next decade, his career fluctuated between highs and lows thanks to injuries and the death of his father, and he was placed under media scrutiny after a marital affair in 2009.

Woods’ real comeback was in 2013, when he won the Farmers Insurance Open, WGC-Cadillac Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational, sending him flying back up to the top of the world rankings.

Since then, Woods has taken time off to recover from back surgery. This year’s Hero World Challenge – an annual golf tournament set up by his charity, the Tiger Woods Foundation – heralded his long-anticipated return.

What’s his golfing style?
Woods has come a long way from the baggy shirts he wore as a teenager, but he established red as his signature colour early on. He favours performance gear over classic golf fashion, opting for breathable polo shirts and technical trousers – and the hybrid golf sneakers he favours over traditional golf shoes is a mainstay of his look.