Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. Born Eldrick Tont Woods on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, he became a global sports icon after transforming professional golf with his extraordinary skill, competitive intensity and record-breaking achievements. He has won 82 PGA Tour events and 15 major championships during a career that has included extraordinary highs as well as serious injuries and personal difficulties.
Woods became a professional golfer in 1996 and almost immediately changed the sport. His victory at the 1997 Masters, where he won by 12 strokes at age 21, established him as a superstar. He subsequently became the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam and remains the only golfer to hold all four professional major championships simultaneously in the modern Grand Slam era.
Away from the course, Woods has built a substantial business empire through endorsements, investments, golf-course design and sports ventures. In 2022, Forbes recognized him as a billionaire, and in 2026 estimated his real-time net worth at approximately $1.5 billion. His life has also remained in the public eye because of his relationships, injuries, legal troubles and efforts to return to competitive golf.
Tiger Woods Profile Summary
| Profile | Details |
| Full Name | Eldrick Tont Woods |
| Known As | Tiger Woods |
| Date of Birth | December 30, 1975 |
| Age | 50 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Cypress, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional golfer, entrepreneur |
| College | Stanford University |
| Turned Professional | 1996 |
| PGA Tour Wins | 82 |
| Major Championships | 15 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Children | Two |
| Former Wife | Elin Nordegren |
| Current Partner | Vanessa Trump |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $1.5 billion |
| Residence | Jupiter, Florida |
Tiger Woods Early Life
Eldrick Tont Woods was born on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California. His father, Earl Woods, was a U.S. Army officer and an accomplished amateur golfer, while his mother, Kultida Woods, was born in Thailand. His father gave him the nickname “Tiger” in honor of his friend and fellow soldier Vuong Dang Phong, who was also known as Tiger.
Woods was introduced to golf when he was extremely young. By six months old, he was already watching his father hit golf balls and attempting to imitate his swing. At age two, he appeared on television putting with entertainer Bob Hope, and by age three he was already shooting impressive scores for his age. His father became his most important early golf teacher and mentor.
As a junior, Woods quickly became one of the most accomplished young golfers in the United States. He won the Optimist International Junior tournament six times and accumulated numerous amateur honors before attending Stanford University. His exceptional amateur career ultimately led him to turn professional in 1996 at the age of 20.
Tiger Woods Education
Tiger Woods attended Western High School in Anaheim, California. His golf development was already progressing rapidly during his teenage years, and he combined his education with an increasingly successful amateur golf career.
After high school, Woods attended Stanford University in California. He studied economics while competing at the highest level of amateur golf in the United States. During his college career, he won the U.S. Amateur Championship three consecutive times from 1994 through 1996.
Woods left Stanford after two years to pursue professional golf. His decision proved successful almost immediately, as he won the 1996 Las Vegas Invitational and was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.
Tiger Woods Career
Tiger Woods’ professional career is one of the most accomplished in sports history. Since turning professional in 1996, he has won 82 PGA Tour events, tying Sam Snead for the most victories in PGA Tour history. He has also earned more than $120.9 million in official PGA Tour prize money.
1997 Masters Breakthrough
Woods became a worldwide superstar at the 1997 Masters Tournament. At only 21 years old, he won the tournament by 12 strokes, setting records for the largest margin of victory and the youngest Masters champion at the time.
The victory was more than a tournament win. Woods’ performance became a cultural moment that brought enormous attention to golf and helped expand the sport’s popularity among younger and more diverse audiences.
Major Championships
Woods has won 15 major championships: five Masters titles, four PGA Championships, three U.S. Opens and three Open Championships. His five Masters victories place him second on the tournament’s all-time list behind Jack Nicklaus.
He completed the career Grand Slam in 2000 when he won the Open Championship at St Andrews. When he won the Masters in 2001, he became the first golfer to hold all four professional major titles simultaneously. This achievement became known as the “Tiger Slam.”
Record-Breaking PGA Tour Career
Woods dominated professional golf for much of the late 1990s and 2000s. He spent a record 683 weeks as the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer and won the PGA Tour Player of the Year award multiple times.
His 82 PGA Tour victories include tournaments across almost every major category of professional golf. His official career record also includes 339 cuts made in 378 PGA Tour starts.
Injuries and Comebacks
Woods’ career has also been shaped by significant physical problems. He underwent multiple surgeries on his back and knees, and his playing schedule became increasingly limited as he dealt with chronic injuries.
In February 2021, Woods suffered devastating injuries in a single-vehicle automobile crash in California. He sustained serious injuries to his right leg and required emergency surgery. Many observers feared that the accident could end his professional career.
Woods nevertheless returned to competitive golf at the 2022 Masters Tournament. His ability to compete at Augusta National after the accident became one of the most remarkable comeback stories in modern golf.
2019 Masters Victory
One of the most memorable moments of Woods’ later career came at the 2019 Masters. He won his fifth green jacket, completing a remarkable comeback after years of injuries and personal difficulties.
The victory was his first major championship since the 2008 U.S. Open and his 15th major title overall. It also placed him just three major victories behind Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.
TGL and Business Ventures
Beyond traditional professional golf, Woods has become an important figure in the development of new forms of the sport. He and Rory McIlroy co-founded TMRW Sports, the company behind TGL, an indoor team golf league that launched in 2025.
Woods also owns and has invested in businesses involving golf-course design, sports entertainment, restaurants and technology. His business interests have allowed him to remain influential in golf even during periods when injuries have prevented him from playing regularly.
Tiger Woods Trending: Why Is Tiger Woods Famous?
Tiger Woods is trending in September 2026 because of a major development in his personal and legal life. On September 2, 2026, Woods entered a no-contest plea to a reckless-driving charge stemming from a March rollover crash in Florida. The original DUI charge was dropped as part of the agreement, and he received a five-year driver’s-license suspension and fines while avoiding jail time.
The March 27 crash occurred near Woods’ home in Jupiter Island, Florida. Authorities initially arrested him on suspicion of DUI after his vehicle overturned. Investigators found hydrocodone in his possession, but prosecutors ultimately cited difficulties proving impairment given his documented medical history and prescription medications. The crash itself did not cause injuries to other people.
The legal case has generated additional attention because Woods appeared in court alongside his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump. The couple have been publicly linked since 2025. Woods’ return to competitive golf also remains uncertain after years of injuries and surgeries, making his health and future in professional golf another major subject of public interest.
Tiger Woods Personal Life
Tiger Woods married Swedish model Elin Nordegren in 2004. The couple had two children, daughter Sam Alexis Woods and son Charlie Axel Woods. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2010 after a highly publicized personal scandal.
Woods has maintained a relatively private relationship with his children despite their growing public profile. His son Charlie has followed his father’s path into competitive golf and has attracted considerable attention as a young golfer.
Since 2025, Woods has been in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr. The couple have generally kept their relationship relatively private, although Vanessa accompanied Woods to his September 2026 court appearance.
Tiger Woods Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Tiger Woods was born on December 30, 1975, and is 50 years old in 2026. He was born in Cypress, California, and is an American citizen. His background is multicultural, with an African-American father and a Thai mother.
Woods has spoken publicly about his Christian faith and has also described his upbringing as incorporating different cultural and religious influences. His mother is Buddhist, while his father was Christian, and Woods has historically described his own spiritual outlook as influenced by both traditions.
Tiger Woods is 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 metres) tall and has an athletic build. His height and weight are listed by the PGA Tour as 6’1″ and 185 pounds, although his physical condition has changed considerably throughout his career because of injuries and surgeries.
Tiger Woods Social Media Presence
Tiger Woods has maintained a substantial social-media presence throughout his career. His public accounts have been used primarily for professional announcements, golf-related content, charitable initiatives and occasional personal updates.
His social-media following reflects his status as one of the world’s most recognizable athletes. His online presence also provides a way for fans to follow his golf-related activities during periods when injuries have kept him away from tournaments.
Woods’ digital presence is also connected to his broader business and charitable interests, including initiatives associated with the Tiger Woods Foundation and his involvement in the development of new golf competitions.
Tiger Woods Net Worth
Tiger Woods is one of the wealthiest athletes in history. Forbes estimated his net worth at approximately $1.5 billion as of September 2, 2026, making him one of the few athletes to reach billionaire status.
A large portion of Woods’ wealth comes from commercial opportunities outside tournament prize money. Throughout his career, he has signed major endorsement agreements and developed investments involving golf-course design, real estate, sports ventures and entertainment. Forbes has estimated that his total career earnings before taxes have approached $2 billion.
His official PGA Tour career earnings are more than $120.9 million, but tournament winnings represent only a fraction of his overall wealth. His long-running commercial partnerships and business investments have allowed him to remain financially successful even as injuries have limited his competitive appearances.
Tiger Woods Legacy
Tiger Woods changed professional golf in ways that extended beyond his tournament victories. His arrival as a young Black golfer at the top of an historically less diverse sport helped broaden golf’s global audience and inspired millions of young players.
His competitive record remains extraordinary. Woods has 82 PGA Tour victories, 15 major championships, five Masters titles and the unique achievement of winning all four professional majors consecutively across the 2000 and 2001 seasons.
His legacy is also defined by resilience. Multiple surgeries, a devastating 2021 car crash and years of physical limitations have repeatedly threatened his career, yet he returned to competition several times. His business ventures, charitable foundation and influence on the next generation of golfers ensure that his impact extends far beyond the scorecard.
Conclusion
Tiger Woods remains one of the most influential and accomplished athletes in modern history. From becoming a teenage golf prodigy to winning 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour events, he transformed both the competitive and commercial sides of golf. Although injuries and personal difficulties have dramatically changed the later stages of his playing career, Woods continues to influence the sport through his business ventures, TGL and charitable work. In 2026, his legal troubles and uncertain playing future have once again placed him at the center of global attention, but his extraordinary golfing legacy remains firmly established.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tiger Woods
Who is Tiger Woods?
Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer and entrepreneur widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers in history. His full name is Eldrick Tont Woods.
How old is Tiger Woods?
Tiger Woods was born on December 30, 1975, and is 50 years old in 2026.
Where was Tiger Woods born?
Tiger Woods was born in Cypress, California, United States.
What is Tiger Woods’ real name?
Tiger Woods’ real name is Eldrick Tont Woods.
How many majors has Tiger Woods won?
Tiger Woods has won 15 major championships.
How many PGA Tour wins does Tiger Woods have?
Tiger Woods has 82 PGA Tour victories, tying Sam Snead for the most in PGA Tour history.
Who is Tiger Woods’ wife?
Tiger Woods was previously married to Elin Nordegren. They divorced in 2010.
Does Tiger Woods have children?
Yes. Tiger Woods has two children with Elin Nordegren: daughter Sam Alexis Woods and son Charlie Axel Woods.
Who is Tiger Woods dating?
Tiger Woods is in a relationship with Vanessa Trump. Their relationship became public in 2025.
How tall is Tiger Woods?
Tiger Woods is listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 metres) tall.
What is Tiger Woods’ religion?
Tiger Woods has spoken about Christianity and has also discussed the influence of his mother’s Buddhist background on his upbringing.
What is Tiger Woods’ net worth?
Forbes estimated Tiger Woods’ net worth at approximately $1.5 billion in September 2026.
Why is Tiger Woods famous?
Tiger Woods is famous for his historic professional golf career, including 15 major championships, 82 PGA Tour victories, five Masters titles and his record-breaking period as the world’s No. 1 golfer.
What happened to Tiger Woods in 2026?
In March 2026, Woods was involved in a rollover crash in Florida and was initially charged with DUI. On September 2, 2026, he entered a no-contest plea to a reduced reckless-driving charge. The DUI charge was dropped, and he received a five-year driver’s-license suspension and financial penalties.
Is Tiger Woods still playing golf?
Tiger Woods has remained involved in golf but has been severely limited by injuries and surgeries. His most recent competitive PGA Tour appearance was at the 2024 Open Championship, and his future return to regular competition remains uncertain.