Think black golf player, think Tiger Woods. Eldrick Tont Woods, popularly called Tiger Woods, has cemented his name in both black history and African-American history. Born on the 30th of December 1975 to Earl and Kultida Woods in Cypress, California, Woods is their only child. However, he has three half-siblings from his father’s first marriage. He has a multicultural heritage, with his father being an African-American and his mother being of Thai descent. He got the name “Tiger” from his dad, who began calling him that in honor of a fellow soldier and friend who had the same moniker. He was introduced to golf by his father, Earl, who served as his teacher and mentor. At the age of two, he started taking swings on a TV program, and when he was three, he shot 48 over nine holes. Before turning seven, Woods won the Under Age 10 section of the Drive, Pitch, and Putt competition, crowning him as a naturally gifted golf prodigy. In 1984, at the age of eight, Woods won the 9 – 10 boys’ event at the Optimist Junior World Gold Championship. This became his very first international championship win,
and he went on to win it six consecutive times. In 1991, when he was 15, he became the youngest U.S. Junior Amateur Championship winner. He also went on to get various Junior Amateur Titles in 1992 and 1993. He was named Golf World Player of the Year, Gold Digest Amateur Player of the Year, and Golf Week National Amateur of the Year.
Talent is something you are born with, and skill is something you develop.
Tiger Woods
99% of what you need to succeed in golf are skills.
In 1994, Woods chose to study Economics at Stanford University after being heavily scouted by various colleges. In 1996, at the age of 20, he became the first golf player to win the U.S. Amateur title three consecutive times and won the NCAA individual golf championship before going professional. 199t, at the age of 21, Woods made the most remarkable performance in golf history by shooting a record 270 over 72 holds and finished 12 strokes. He became the first African-American in black history to achieve this. Between 1999 and 2000, Tiger Woods went on to win six consecutive victories, tying with Ben Hogan, who also won six victories in 1948. He made another record-breaking history by being the first golf player to finish the tournament at 12 under par. However, in 1999, he underwent a laser eye surgery to treat his severe myopic condition. He became the fifth and youngest golf player in history to win the British Open on the 23rd of July 2000 He won the Masters and British Open in 2005, won nine events in 2006, and got his 13th major championship after defending his title in 2007. He took a break from golf due to various circumstances such as injuries, multiple surgeries for his back, and marital issues. He returned in one of the most impressive comebacks in sports history, winning the 2019 Masters Tournament.
Other golfers may outplay me from time to time, but they’ll never outwork me.
Tiger Woods
At 32 years, Tiger Woods has more than made a name for himself in the world of golf. He more or less became a household name. Throughout his career, he has won over 75 tournaments, an inspiring feat for an African American. Aside from being a world-renowned golf player, Woods is also an active philanthropist. He founded the Tiger Woods Foundation that has helped many underprivileged youths in various educational and career opportunities. Today, Woods’ love for golf and the fact that he is a black man has made him an inspiration for many aspiring “people of color” golf players. Tiger Woods’ legacy will continue to live on.