01of 17
1996
J.D. Cuban/Allsport
In 1996, he was named PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year as well asSports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year and nabbed his first major sports endorsement deal, with Nike.
02of 171997 to 1999TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)The late ’90s were a string of wins for Woods on his rise to the top. In 1997, just one year after he was named Rookie of the Year, he won his first-ever major championship, the Masters — becoming the youngest person ever to wear the tournament’s iconic green jacket. In 1998, he got the top spot in the Official World Golf Rankings. And then in 1999, he won his first U.S. PGA Championship.
02of 17
1997 to 1999
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
The late ’90s were a string of wins for Woods on his rise to the top. In 1997, just one year after he was named Rookie of the Year, he won his first-ever major championship, the Masters — becoming the youngest person ever to wear the tournament’s iconic green jacket. In 1998, he got the top spot in the Official World Golf Rankings. And then in 1999, he won his first U.S. PGA Championship.
03of 172000ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/GettyCementing his GOAT status in 2000 when he was just 24 years old, Woods became the youngest-ever golfer to win a Career Grand Slam — the four major golf championships. It would be his first of three career grand slams.
03of 17
2000
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty
Cementing his GOAT status in 2000 when he was just 24 years old, Woods became the youngest-ever golfer to win a Career Grand Slam — the four major golf championships. It would be his first of three career grand slams.
04of 17
2003 to 2006
Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
05of 172008ROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyWoods won the 2008 U.S. Open, which would turn out to be his last major championship for quite some time.After the tournament, Woods had reconstructive surgery on his left knee, which led him to takean eight-month hiatusfrom the sport. Injuries were a lingering problem for Woods throughout his career (especially to his back) and would play a major part in coming years.
05of 17
2008
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty
Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open, which would turn out to be his last major championship for quite some time.
After the tournament, Woods had reconstructive surgery on his left knee, which led him to takean eight-month hiatusfrom the sport. Injuries were a lingering problem for Woods throughout his career (especially to his back) and would play a major part in coming years.
06of 17
2009
Stan Badz/PGA TOUR
In 2009, things began to unravel. On Nov. 27, he left his home early in the morning in his Cadillac Escalade, but before he turned off his street, crashed into a tree and a fire hydrant. He only suffered minor facial lacerations in the accident, but there was much speculation about how the accident happened.
A few days later, outlets began to report on an alleged affair, which led Woods to release a statement admitting to “transgressions.” In the days after, the number of women coming forward to say they had had an affair with Woods began to snowball, ultimately topping one dozen. He admitted to the affairs and said he’d be taking an “indefinite break from professional golf.”
07of 17
2010
Lori Moffett/Bloomberg/Getty
Despite a strong performance at the Masters later that year, he failed to win a single event in 2010, losing his No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2005.
08of 17
Darren Carroll/Icon/Zuma
09of 172013Ethan Miller/GettyAfter pulling out of the U.S. Open and Open Championship in 2011 due to a leg injury, things were looking up for Woods over the next two years — he won eight times on PGA Tour, regained his coveted No. 1 ranking and started up a romance with Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn. It seemed like he was back. But in 2013, Woods finished 13 over par in the US Open, recording his worst ever score as a professional.
09of 17
2013
Ethan Miller/Getty
After pulling out of the U.S. Open and Open Championship in 2011 due to a leg injury, things were looking up for Woods over the next two years — he won eight times on PGA Tour, regained his coveted No. 1 ranking and started up a romance with Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn. It seemed like he was back. But in 2013, Woods finished 13 over par in the US Open, recording his worst ever score as a professional.
10of 172014PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyIn March, Woods pulled out of the Honda Classic and Arnold Palmer Invitational with back issues. And the next month, he underwent back surgery for a pinched nerve, missing the Masters and the US Open. He also parted ways with swing coach Sean Foley and dropped to No. 32 in the world.
10of 17
2014
PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty
In March, Woods pulled out of the Honda Classic and Arnold Palmer Invitational with back issues. And the next month, he underwent back surgery for a pinched nerve, missing the Masters and the US Open. He also parted ways with swing coach Sean Foley and dropped to No. 32 in the world.
11of 172015Rob Carr/GettyIn February, Woods withdrew just 12 holes into the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open due to back pain. A few months later, he underwent a second microdiscectomy surgery and a follow-up back procedure. Not only did he lose on the green in 2015 — Woods' rank dropped to No. 416 — his relationship with Vonn ended, too.
11of 17
2015
Rob Carr/Getty
In February, Woods withdrew just 12 holes into the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open due to back pain. A few months later, he underwent a second microdiscectomy surgery and a follow-up back procedure. Not only did he lose on the green in 2015 — Woods' rank dropped to No. 416 — his relationship with Vonn ended, too.
12of 172016Toni L. Sandys/ The Washington Post/GettyWoods missed all four majors for the first time in his career.
12of 17
2016
Toni L. Sandys/ The Washington Post/Getty
Woods missed all four majors for the first time in his career.
13of 17
2017
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
According to the report, Woods used several pain medications including Vicodin. He allegedly failed the sobriety test and was unable to put his finger on his nose, walk a straight line, or stand on one leg. He ultimately pled guilty to reckless driving.
14of 172018Tim Bradbury/Getty ImagesWoods put on a tremendous showing at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in August. Though he didn’t win, it was his best performance in years and a bright spot for fans to hold on to.Weeks later, Woods won the Tour Championship, ending a five-year drought and giving everyone a reason to cheer for his comeback.The event also marked the public debut of his new girlfriend,Erica Herman.
14of 17
2018
Tim Bradbury/Getty Images
Woods put on a tremendous showing at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in August. Though he didn’t win, it was his best performance in years and a bright spot for fans to hold on to.
Weeks later, Woods won the Tour Championship, ending a five-year drought and giving everyone a reason to cheer for his comeback.
The event also marked the public debut of his new girlfriend,Erica Herman.
15of 172019Tiger Woods celebrates winning the 2019 Masters.Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesThough he pulled out of a spring invitational due to a neck injury, the year 2019 brought one of the biggest victories of all for Woods:another Masters win, his first major title in 11 years. He had extra-special VIPs watching him play, too —kids Charlie and Sam.A source told PEOPLE that 10 years after his scandal, Woods was a “different man.” “He is in the best place he’s ever been,” the source said.
15of 17
2019
Tiger Woods celebrates winning the 2019 Masters.Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Though he pulled out of a spring invitational due to a neck injury, the year 2019 brought one of the biggest victories of all for Woods:another Masters win, his first major title in 11 years. He had extra-special VIPs watching him play, too —kids Charlie and Sam.
A source told PEOPLE that 10 years after his scandal, Woods was a “different man.” “He is in the best place he’s ever been,” the source said.
16of 172020Mike Ehrmann/GettySpending more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Woods played in a few tournaments throughout the year and popped up at the PNC Father Son Challenge with son Charlie, 11,who impressed fans with his golf skills.
16of 17
2020
Mike Ehrmann/Getty
Spending more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Woods played in a few tournaments throughout the year and popped up at the PNC Father Son Challenge with son Charlie, 11,who impressed fans with his golf skills.
17of 172021Tiger Woods.The injury-plagued star — the topic ofa January HBO documentary about his life— underwent another surgery in January,removing a disc fragmentpinching a nerve in his back. His goal: to play in the Masters in the spring.However, his plans were derailed on Feb. 23 when he was involved ina single-car crashin Southern California, requiring emergency surgery to repair breaks in his right leg, foot and ankle. The next day, his team released a statement saying the athlete, 45, was awake and recovering.A source close to Woods told PEOPLE that the golfer will have some serious decisions to make about his future as he recovers from the crash.“He doesn’t want his career to end like this,“said the insider. “So if there’s any way at all that he can continue playing golf, he will.”
17of 17
2021
Tiger Woods.
The injury-plagued star — the topic ofa January HBO documentary about his life— underwent another surgery in January,removing a disc fragmentpinching a nerve in his back. His goal: to play in the Masters in the spring.
However, his plans were derailed on Feb. 23 when he was involved ina single-car crashin Southern California, requiring emergency surgery to repair breaks in his right leg, foot and ankle. The next day, his team released a statement saying the athlete, 45, was awake and recovering.
A source close to Woods told PEOPLE that the golfer will have some serious decisions to make about his future as he recovers from the crash.
“He doesn’t want his career to end like this,“said the insider. “So if there’s any way at all that he can continue playing golf, he will.”
source: people.com
