Star Profile Tiger Woods, world’s great golfer

Eldrick "Tiger" Woods was born on December 30, 1975 in Cypress, California and now resides in Orlando, Florida. His parents are Earl and Kultida Woods, and Tiger is their only child. Just in case you care, Tiger is 6'2" and weighs around 160-170 lbs. Eldrick attended Western High School. He was a student at Stanford University, but dropped out to become a professional golfer in his junior year.

Tiger is not completely of African-American descent. Earl Woods, his father, is half black, one-quarter American Indian and one-quarter Chinese. Kultida is half Thai, one-quarter Chinese and one-quarter white. After mastering the ameteur world of golf by winning the U.S. Ameteur three times (1994, 95, and 96) and winning the U.S. Junior Ameteur three times also (1991, 92, 93), he decided to turn professional. Nike sponsored him for $60 million dollars along with Titleist for just $1 million. His very happy agent is Hughes Norton of International Management Group (IMG). His first tournament as a pro was on August 29, 1996 at the Greater Milwaukee Open, in which he tied for 60th place.

His first win was the Los Vegas Invitational in which he defeated Davis Love III in sudden death. He went on to win the Disney Classic two tournaments later. Do you want to know what he carries in his bag?? He uses a special bore-thru Cobra Driver, a Titleist PT 15 degree three wood.

He uses Mizuno MP29 Irons (2-PW), a Cleveland 56 degree SW, and a Watson Lob Wedge (Tiger will drop his lob wedge for a King Cobra Norman Grind 1 iron on tighter courses). His putter is a Titleist Scotty Cameron putter (Newport Model) with Terryillium Inlays and Balata dots on the back. He uses Titleist Pro 90 balls and his glove is Titleist. All of his clothes and shoes are Nike, of course.

His caddy is Mike "Fluff" Cowan, and is coached by Butch Harmon. Cowan is an 18-year veteran of the PGA tour.

PGA TOUR VICTORIES:

(28) 1996 Las Vegas Invitational, Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic. 1997 Mercedes Championships, Masters Tournament, GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic, Motorola Western Open. 1998 BellSouth Classic. 1999 Buick Invitational, Memorial Tournament,Motorola Western Open, PGA Championship, WGC NEC Invitational, National Car Rental Golf Classic/Disney, THE TOUR Championship, WGC American Express Championship. 2000 Mercedes Championships, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Bay Hill Invitational,Memorial Tournament, U.S.

Open Championship, British Open Championship, PGA Championship, WGC-NEC Invitational, Bell Canadian Open. 2001 Bay Hill Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, Masters Tournament, Memorial Tournament. INTERNATIONAL VICTORIES: 1997 Asian Honda Classic. 1998 Johnnie Walker Classic (Asia). 1999 Deutsche Bank Open - TPC of Europe (Eur).; 2000 Johnnie Walker Classic. CURRENT YEAR PGA TOUR MONEY AND POSITION: $4,235,857 (1), CURRENT YEAR PGA TOUR BEST FINISHES: 1 -- Bay Hill Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, Masters Tournament, Memorial Tournament; T3 -- Verizon Byron Nelson Classic; 4 -- Buick Invitational; T5 -- Phoenix Open; T8 -- Mercedes Championships.

CURRENT YEAR PGA TOUR BEST ROUND: 63 at Round 4, Verizon Byron Nelson Classic

BEST 2000 PGA TOUR FINISH: 1 -- Mercedes Championships, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Bay Hill Invitational, Memorial Tournament, U.S. Open Championship, British Open Championship, PGA Championship, WGC-NEC Invitational, Bell Canadian Open; 2 -- WGC-Andersen Consulting Match Play, THE PLAYERS Championship, THE TOUR Championship, Buick Invitational; 3 -- National Car Rental Golf Classic Disney; T4 -- GTE Byron Nelson Classic; 5 -- Masters Tournament, WGC-American Express Championship

2000 SEASON: Fashioned one of the greatest seasons in the history of the sport and in the process assured a place among the best to ever play the game. ... Highlights included three consecutive major championship titles and career Grand Slam, nine PGA TOUR victories and TOUR single-season earnings record of $8,286,821. ... An eight-stroke British Open victory lifted him into company of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus as holders of career Grand Slams and at the age of 24 was the youngest to do so. ... Became only the second player to win three majors in one season, joining Ben Hogan (1953). ... Was 53-under par in four majors, next-best mark was 18-under by Ernie Els. ... His nine TOUR victories in a season were the most since Sam Snead won 11 in 1950. ... His 20th career win at U.S.

Open made him youngest player in TOUR history to win 20 times. ... Started the season in historic fashion, with wins at Mercedes Championships and AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, giving him victories in six consecutive appearances, becoming first player since Hogan in 1948 to do so. Finished T2, four strokes back of Phil Mickelson in attempt to win seventh consecutive start at Buick Invitational. ... At the Mercedes Championships, shared 54-hole lead with Ernie Els and after both players eagled the 72nd hole to remain tied, won playoff with birdie on second extra hole. ... Beginning final round of AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am was five strokes back of Mark Brooks and Matt Gogel. On the back nine, trailed Gogel by seven with seven holes to play but eagle-birdie-par-birdie finish and final-round 64 good for two-stroke win over Gogel and Vijay Singh.

T2 at Buick Invitational earned him $264,000 and he took over top spot on TOUR's career money list from Davis Love III, who had been No.1 for three weeks. ... After T18 at Nissan Open, reached the finals of the WGC -- Andersen Consulting Match Play Championship, losing to Darren Clarke 4 and 3. ... Rounds of 69-64 earned 36-hole lead at Bay Hill Invitational, which me maintained with closing 67-70 for 10th victory in 16 starts. ... A week later, was runnerup to Hal Sutton at THE PLAYERS Championship by one stroke. ... Finished fifth at the Masters Tournament after opening 75-72 and coming back with 68-69 on weekend. In first-round 75, made double bogey on 10 and triple bogey on 12. ... At GTE Byron Nelson Classic, closing 63 matched low round of tournament and lifted him to T4. ... In next start, held three-stroke lead through 54 holes at Deutsche Bank SAP Open before finishing third behind Lee Westwood. Marked first time since 1996, he had not won after holding 54-hole lead. ... A week later, successfully de
fended a title for the first time with win at Memorial Tournament. ... At U.S. Open, won by a major championship record 15 strokes (old record: Tom Morris, Sr., 13 at 1864 British Open) with rounds of 65-69-71-67--272 (-12) at Pebble Beach.

His score tied a U.S. Open record held by Jack Nicklaus and Lee Janzen and his 12-under total broke record in relation to par. ... Following a T23 at Advil Western Open, completed career grand slam with eight-stroke victory over Thomas Bjorn and Ernie Els at British Open. With rounds of 67-68-67-69--269 (19-under), at St. Andrews, broke British Open and major championship record in relation to par. ... In head-to-head battle with fellow California junior star Bob May, won PGA Championship in three-hole playoff. With victory, became first player since Denny Shute in 1936-37 to defend PGA Championship. Playing in the final twosome of the day, both players shot back-nine 31s, with Woods birdieng the final two holes to force playoff, where he went birdie-par-par (3-4-5) for win. Rounds of 66-67-70-67--270 (18-under) gave him share of most under-par record with May.

The following week, successfully defended another title at the WGC -- NEC World Series of Golf by 11 strokes over Justin Leonard and Phillip Price. Started week with 64-61--125 to set an all-time PGA TOUR record for opening rounds. On the weekend, added a pair of 67s and finished at 21-under-par 259 for a Firestone South record. ... In next start, out of a fairway bunker on the 72nd hole, faded a six-iron from 213 yards over water to within 15 feet for eagle putt to secure a one-stroke victory over Grant Waite at the Bell Canadian Open.

Joined Lee Trevino (1971) as only players to win U.S., British and Canadian Opens in same year and received Triple Crown Trophy from Royal Canadian Golf Association. ... A member of victorious U.S. Presidents Cup team. ... Closed official season with third place in defense of National Car Rental Golf Classic at Walt Disney World Resort, a second place in defense of THE TOUR Championship and T5 in defense of WGC-American Express Championship. ... At year's end, voted by his peers the PGA TOUR Player of the Year (Jack Nicklaus Award); the PGA of America Player of the Year for third time in four years; winner of the Byron Nelson Award and Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average; the Arnold Palmer Award as leading money winner; the GWAA Player of the Year; the Mark H. McCormack Award for leading Official World Golf Ranking for most weeks; the Andersen Consulting Medal for best performance in WGC events; the Palm Performance Award as leading money winner on TOUR West Coast Swing; the Fall Finish Award presented by PricewaterhouseCoopers as leading money winner on TOUR's fall schedule.

Set or tied 27 records during the course of the season. His actual scoring average of 68.17 set a new scoring average mark, besting Sam Snead's 50-year-old 69.23 record and Byron Nelson's 68.33 unofficial mark, set in 1945...Named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in December, the first two-time recipient (also won in 1996) in the 46-year history of the award...Named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, becoming only three-time winner of award.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Turned professional in 1996 at Greater Milwaukee Open, where he finished T60, and followed with two victories and three top-10s in only eight starts. ... First top-10 came at Quad City Classic, where he finished T5 after holding a one-stroke lead through 54 holes.... Began final round of Las Vegas Invitational four strokes back, closed with 64 to force playoff with Davis Love III, then parred first extra hole for first TOUR win. Earned $297,000 and was first sponsor’s exemption to win TOUR event since Phil Mickelson at 1991 Northern Telecom Open. ... Finished third the following week at LaCantera Texas Open. ... At Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic, shot closing 66 for one-stroke win. ... Named PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year.

Also named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, becoming youngest to receive honor since gymnast Mary Lou Retton in 1984. ... In 1997, PGA TOUR Player of the Year, a season that included four victories and nine top-10 finishes. ... Highlight of year came at Masters Tournament, where rounds of 70-66-65-69-270 set 72-hole record.

His 12-stroke margin of victory, another Masters record, was fourth best in TOUR history. ... In first start after Masters, won GTE Byron Nelson Classic and later in summer captured Motorola Western Open. ... Prior to Masters, won first event of 1997 season at rain-shortened Mercedes Championships, defeating Tom Lehman on first playoff hole. ... Member of 1997 Ryder Cup Team, named PGA of America and Golf Writers Association of America Player of the Year for 1997, Associated Press chose his Masters win top sports story of 1997, and followed by his designation as AP’s Male Athlete of the Year (first golfer to be so honored in 26 years). ... In 1999, his TOUR-record $6,616,585 was nearly $3 million more than his nearest competitor, David Duval. Was named PGA TOUR Player of the Year, PGA of America and GWAA Player of the Year for second time. ... Made the cut in all 21 tournaments, extending his TOUR-best streak to 39 consecutive over last two seasons. ... Earned his eighth career TOUR title and first since 1998

BellSouth Classic with two-stroke victory in Buick Invitational.

Trailed by nine strokes through 36 holes, but with Torrey Pines South Course-record 62, took one-stroke lead heading into final round and closed with 65 for share of tournament record (266). ... In May, earned third international victory at European Tour’s Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Germany. ... A week later, earned ninth TOUR victory at Memorial Tournament, defeating Vijay Singh by two strokes. ... Regained No. 1 position from Duval in Official World Golf Ranking following third victory of season and 10th of career at Motorola Western Open. ... Beecame youngest player since Seve Ballesteros to win two majors with his victory at PGA Championship. ... Became first player since Nick Price in 1994 to win five TOUR events in season with his win at World Golf Championships -- NEC Invitational. ... Won his next start at National Car Rental Golf Classic at Walt Disney World Resort to become first player since Tom Watson in 1980 to win six official TOUR titles in season. ...

The next week won his third consecutive start at THE TOUR Championship, becoming the first player since Duval in 1997 to accomplish that feat. ... Following week won the World Golf Championships -- American Express Championship and became first player since Johnny Miller in 1974 to win eight times in year and first since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win four consecutive starts. ... His 16 top-10s were the most in a single season since Payne Stewart had 16 in 1986. ... In 1998, earned second international victory at Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand, defeating Ernie Els on second playoff hole, overcoming eight-stroke deficit to force playoff with Els. ... Earned seventh TOUR victory with one-stroke win over Jay Don Blake at BellSouth Classic. ... Won the 1998, 1999 and 2000 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. ... Along with Mark O'Meara, won the 1999 World Cup of Golf for the U.S. and was medalist by nine strokes. ... Won 1999, 2000 Andersen Consulting Medal for best combined performance in three WGC events. ... Won 1991, 1992 and 1993 U.S. Junior Amateur Championships when no one before or since has won more than one. ... In 1994, at TPC at Sawgrass, became youngest winner of U.S. Amateur at age 18.

The following year, became first to successfully defend U.S. Amateur title since Jay Sigel in 1993. In 1996, became first player to win three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles. Owns U.S. Amateur records for consecutive match-play victories (18) and winning percentage (.909). His six consecutive years of winning a USGA championship are second only to Bobby Jones’ eight. ... Made cut in four of six major championships as amateur and was low amateur at 1995 Masters and 1996 British Open. ... Named year’s top amateur player by Golf Digest and Golfweek in 1992 and Golf World in 1992 and 1993. Golf World’s "Man of the Year" in 1994. ... Won 1996 NCAA Championship and was named Collegiate Player of the Year. ... Joined Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson as the only players to win NCAA and U.S. Amateur in same year.