Tiger Woods: Records, fortune, career - A portrait of the golf icon

Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is not just a golfer - he is a phenomenon. Since his professional debut in 1996, the American has dominated the sport, broken records and driven prize money on the PGA Tour to unimaginable heights. Together with Sam Snead, Woods holds the record of 82 PGA Tour victories and is second on the all-time leaderboard with 15 major titles. This article looks at the unprecedented career of the man from California, from his early amateur successes to the legendary "Tiger Slam" and his role in competitions such as the Ryder Cup.

1. The Tiger Woods profile: Facts & Figures

2. Beginnings and the dominant career of Tiger Woods

2.1. from child prodigy to professional: the amateur era

Tiger Woods' career was already characterized by dominance in his youth. He appeared on the Mike Douglas Show at the age of three to show off his talent at Putt. His amateur career is unparalleled: he is the only player to win the US Amateur Championship three times in a row (1994, 1995, 1996) and the US Junior Amateur Championship three times in a row (1991, 1992, 1993).

In August 1996, Woods turned professional, followed by the legendary "Hello World" commercial. He won two PGA Tour tournaments in his rookie season and was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1996. Just one year later, in 1997, he became the youngest player ever to win the Masters with a record lead of twelve strokes and was the youngest golfer ever to top the world rankings.

3. Major victories and records: Tiger Woods' greatest successes

Woods' career is characterized by unmatched records:

• PGA Tour wins: 82 (record shared with Sam Snead).
• Weeks at No. 1: A total of 683 weeks, including a streak of 281 consecutive weeks.
• Major titles: 15.

3.1st Tiger Woods Major record at a glance

His greatest statistical triumph was the "Tiger Slam" in 2000 and 2001, when he became the only player in the modern golf era to hold all four major titles at the same time.

4. Tiger Woods' prize money and fortune: how rich is the golf icon?

The subject of prize money is inextricably linked to the name Tiger Woods, as his dominance has been instrumental in the explosion of prize money in professional golf.

• PGA Tour prize money: Woods is the undisputed top earner in PGA Tour history. He was the first player to break the 100 million dollar mark and to date has won almost 121 million US dollars (as of 2023) in prize money on the PGA Tour alone.
• Total wealth: Tournament wins only make up a fraction of his total income. Thanks to groundbreaking contracts with sponsors such as Nike and Bridgestone, Tiger Woods has been considered a billionaire since 2022. His estimated net worth is around 1.3 billion US dollars, making him one of the richest sportsmen in history.

5. Woods in the team competitions: TheRyder Cup record

As one of the greatest US golfers, Woods was a key figure in the prestigious team competitions, especially the Ryder Cup (USA versus Europe). Woods took part in the Ryder Cup eight times and was part of the victorious US team in the legendary "Battle of Brookline" in 1999.

His record in this team competition is detailed: He played a total of 37 matches, scoring 13 wins, 21 losses and 3 draws. Although his record in the Ryder Cup does not always reflect his individual dominance due to the team nature of the event and the strong European competition, his presence has always been an important motivating factor and a spectator magnet.

6. Playing style, equipment and technique

Woods' style of play was characterized by a unique combination of raw power, precision and unwavering mental strength. He redefined professional golf with his aggressive but technically perfect swing.

• The "Tiger Slam" era: In his most dominant period (around the year 2000), he set a record with a scoring average of 68.17, demonstrating his outstanding consistency.
• Equipment: Woods has been closely associated with Nike (clothing and shoes) since his professional debut. In terms of clubs, he switched from Titleist to Nike Golf over the course of his career and in 2017 to TaylorMade (Woods and Irons) and Bridgestone (golf balls).

7. Tiger Woods in private: scandals, family and commitment

Tiger Woods was born on December 30, 1975 in Cypress, California. His private life was always in the public eye and was characterized by great highs and lows. His marriage to Elin Nordegren, from which his children Sam Alexis and Charlie Axel were born, ended in a major public scandal in 2010 due to his affairs, which led to a temporary withdrawal from the Tour.

According to various media reports, Woods is currently in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr, the son of US President Donald Trump. Off the course, he is heavily involved with the Tiger Woods Foundation (TGR Foundation), which is dedicated to promoting education and supporting disadvantaged young people.

8. Conclusion and outlook: The legacy of Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods' influence on golf is undeniable. He attracted a new, younger audience, multiplied the prize money and established a new era of athleticism in golf. Despite numerous injuries and personal setbacks, Woods celebrated an iconic comeback by winning the Masters in 2019. Since then, however, numerous other injuries have followed. Several back operations, a ruptured Achilles tendon and a serious car accident in which Woods almost lost his leg make a comeback on the PGA Tour unlikely at present.

He has also shaped his legacy as an entrepreneur: together with Rory McIlroy, he founded the TGL (originally TMRW Golf League), an innovative indoor golf league that combines technology and team competition. The league attracts numerous top PGA Tour stars as well as prominent investors and team owners from the sports and business sectors, underscoring Woods' ongoing role as a visionary at the forefront of modern golf. Woods is also an established and sought-after entrepreneur as a golf course designer. He is now regarded as one of the greatest sportsmen of all time, whose influence extends far beyond his 82 PGA Tour victories and 15 Major titles.