Tiger Woods turned professional at the age of 20 in 1996, marking the beginning of his professional golf career. He won his first major championship in 1997, the Masters Tournament, by a record 12 strokes, establishing himself as a top competitor in golf. Woods reached number one in the Official World Golf Ranking in 1997 for the first time, less than a year after turning pro. Join us in this photo slideshow as we remember Woods’ massive impact on the game of golf.
1999: He became the top-ranked golfer in the world, a position he would hold for 264 consecutive weeks until September 2004.
2000: Woods won three major championships in a single calendar year, achieving a significant milestone in professional golf.
2001: He won the Masters again, becoming the first golfer to hold all four major championships at the same time, a feat known as the “Tiger Slam.”
2002: Woods successfully defended his title at the Masters, further solidifying his dominance in the sport.
2005: He won the Masters for the fourth time, continuing his streak of success in major tournaments.
2006: Woods was named the PGA Player of the Year for the eighth time, showcasing his consistent excellence.
2007: He won the PGA Tour Player of the Year award for the ninth time, further establishing his legacy.
2008: Woods won the U.S. Open in a dramatic playoff, despite competing with a serious knee injury.
2009: He was named the PGA Player of the Year for the tenth time, demonstrating his sustained performance at the highest level.
2010: Woods faced personal challenges, leading to a hiatus from professional golf at the end of the year.
In 2011, Woods fell to number 58 in the world rankings. It took until 2013 when Woods returned to form, reclaiming the number one ranking in the world and winning five PGA Tour events.
2014: He underwent back surgery, marking the beginning of a series of health issues that would impact his career.
2015: Woods competed in only one tournament, struggling with injuries and performance issues.
2016: He announced he would take an indefinite break from golf to focus on his health.
2018: Woods made a comeback, winning the Tour Championship, his first tournament victory in five years.
2019: He won the Masters Tournament for the fifth time, marking his first major victory in 11 years.
2019: Woods was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his impact on sports and culture.
2021: Woods was involved in a serious car accident, resulting in multiple injuries and surgeries.
2021: He indicated that his full-time career as a professional golfer was over but expressed intentions to play a few events per year.
2022: Woods made his return to competitive golf at the Masters Tournament, showcasing his resilience.
2024: He continues to hold numerous golf records, including being tied for the most PGA Tour wins and ranking second in men’s major championships.