The comeback kid and golf’s most popular competitor, America’s Tiger Woods, has returned to the greens in the hopes of winning another Major title.
The 46-year-old golfer announced he would be playing in The Master’s Golf Tournament at Augusta Golf Course from 4 to 10 April – drawing in massive crowds with audiences glued to their screens across the world. Here’s a look at the highs and lows in the life of Tiger Woods.
1. Winning ways
Tiger Woods has won 82 PGA tours and 15 Majors throughout his impressive career, which started at a young age. When he was just two years old, Tiger won a putting contest with Bob Hope on the ‘Mike Douglas Show’. He then went on to become the youngest ever winner of the US Junior Amateur golf championship at the age of 15.
2. Historic rise
In April 1997, Tiger went on to win his first Masters Tournament, being named the No.1 ranked golfer in the world a few months later at the age of 21 years and 24 weeks.
3. Big endorsements
The month he turned professional in 1996, Nike signed Tiger for a $40-million endorsement deal which increased to $85-million in 2000 – the richest endorsement contract in sports history at the time.
4. Knee problems
Tiger has had to undergo several surgeries to fix ongoing knee hassles, starting with a tumour removal in 1994, and arthroscopic surgery in 2002 and 2008.
5. Back problems
2014 was the start of back problems for the top golfer, with surgery undergone for a pinched nerve. There were more surgeries the following year, with a fourth surgery in 2017.
6. Women problems
In November 2009, it was revealed that Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren had a public argument about what would turn out to be one of his many ‘transgressions’. During his five-year marriage to Nordegren, Woods was said to have had affairs with 120 women, including a 21-year-old neighbour.
7. Car problems
At the same time as the fight with his now ex-wife, Woods was involved in a car accident in front of his home in Florida, although he was released later that day. In 2017, he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, but it’s alleged this was a reaction to prescribed medication. In February last year, Woods was involved in a serious car accident where he suffered multiple leg injuries.
8. Addictions
Following his split from his wife, Woods checked in to a rehabilitation centre for sex addiction. After his 2017 arrest, Woods received help to ‘manage medication’ for his back pain and sleep disorder.
9. Historic moment
Last month, Tiger Woods was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame at the PGA Tour headquarters with his return to The Masters this month indicating his career is on the rise once again.
