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| Endorsed by Nike (just like Michael Jordan) and one of the greatest golfers the sport and world has ever seen, Tiger Woods has achieved what many golfers haven't achieved in their lifetime, and he is only 25 years old! Record breaking pro golfer Eldrick "Tiger" Woods was born on the 30th of December, 1975, the only child to parents Earl, retired lieutenant, and Kultida, of Thai descent. Earl Woods gave his son Eldrick the nickname "Tiger", after a soldier and friend of his father who was also nicknamed Tiger in his days as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. Tiger grew up in Cypress, California, where his future passion and talent was foreshadowed while he was only a baby. Tiger would watch his father hit golf balls and would mimic his father's swing while still in his crib. Even before becoming a graduate from Western High School in Anaheim, California, Tiger was appearing on television and winning golf tournaments. At the mere age of 2, Tiger played with comedian and golfer Bob Hope on a national televisor, the Mike Douglas Show. He was featured in Golf Digest at age 5, after having already succeeded in shooting 48 for nine holes while the same children his age were still playing with building blocks. A six-time winner at the Optimist International Junior Tournament, Tiger won at the ages of 8 and 9, and consecutively from ages 12 to 15. While a student at Stanford University, Tiger won 10 collegiate events and held the NCAA title. With awards and honors such as Golf Digest Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992, Golf World Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993, and Golfweek National Amateur of the Year in 1992 already under Tiger's belt, there is no doubt that his dreams of pro golf were only a few putts away. Before his years at Stanford, Tiger had already played in a professional tournament when he was 16 years old, the Nissan Los Angeles Open in 1992. One year later, he participated in three PGA Tour events and in 1994, Tiger placed 34th in the 1994 Johnnie Walker Asian Classic in Thailand and appeared in three more PGA Tours that same year. After having won the 1994 Western Amateur and representing the United States in the 1994 World Amateur Team Championships in France and the 1995 Walker Cup Match in Wales, Tiger was ready for his first major championships in 1995 -- the Masters and The British Open. Tiger couldn't play in the US Open that year because he injured his wrist. Even as an amateur in 1995 and 1996, Tiger was making and breaking records and it was for this reason (among many others) that he was named Sports Illustrated's 1996 Sportsman of the Year. In 1997, Tiger won the first Mercedes Championships of the season, the Masters and four PGA events. Tiger became the leading money winner, winning $2,440,831. It's no wonder that Tiger Woods has earned the amount of recognition and honors that he has received. In 1997 and 1999, The Associated Press named Tiger Woods the Male Athlete of the Year, with only four golfers receiving the same honor in history, and those same years, he was named ESPY Male Athlete of the Year, sharing the honor with baseball great Ken Griffey Jr. In 1997 and 1999, Tiger also received the Jack Nicklaus Award, selected as the PGA Tour Player of the Year. At this year's PGA tournaments, Tiger placed first at the Mercedes Championship, Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Bay Hill Invitational, The Memorial, and the U.S. Open. This past weekend, Tiger has set yet another record -- his championship at the British open in historic St. Andrews makes him the youngest golfer to have won all four golf championships. If you want to perfect your golf skills, click here to check out our golf tips. We can't promise you'll beat Tiger, but you'll definitely become a champ in your own right. |
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