Tiger Woods: A Timeline of 50 Defining Moments in His Career as He Turns 50

As Tiger Woods celebrates his 50th birthday, we take a look back at 50 defining moments that have shaped his storied career, particularly highlighting his impact on the PGA Tour and his connection to Palm Beach County.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

August 1996: Woods turns professional and secures lucrative contracts with Nike and Titleist.

September 1, 1996: In his first professional tournament, the Greater Milwaukee Open, Woods achieves a stunning hole-in-one on the 14th hole. He finishes in 60th place, earning $2,544.

October 6, 1996: Secures his inaugural professional win at the Las Vegas Invitational, claiming $297,000 and an invitation to the Masters.

December 1996: Recognized as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year and PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.

Breakthrough Achievements

Tiger’s First Masters Victory

April 13, 1997: Wins his first Masters with a record-breaking 18-under 270, leading by 12 strokes. He becomes the youngest champion in history at age 21.

June 1997: Woods ascends to No. 1 in the world golf rankings, marking the fastest rise in history.

August 15, 1999: Claims the PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club, finishing one stroke ahead of Sergio García.

September 26, 1999: A pivotal member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, Woods contributes significantly to a victory over Europe, securing a point by defeating Andrew Coltart.

June 18, 2000: Dominates the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, winning by a record 15 strokes.

July 23, 2000: Captures his first Open Championship at St. Andrews, becoming the youngest golfer to complete the Grand Slam.

March 26, 2001: Wins the first of two Players Championship titles by one stroke over Vijay Singh.

April 8, 2001: Defeats David Duval by 2 strokes to secure all four majors simultaneously, coining the term "Tiger Slam."

April 14, 2002: Defends his Masters title, cementing his position at the top of professional golf.

Rivalries and Resilience

U.S. Open Showdown

June 16, 2002: Finishes three shots ahead of Phil Mickelson to win the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black.

December 13, 2002: Undergoes left knee surgery, missing the season opener in 2003.

March 6, 2005: Wins the Ford Championship at Doral, reclaiming the No. 1 ranking in the world.

April 10, 2005: Secures his fourth Green Jacket in a playoff against Chris DiMarco.

July 2005: Wins his 10th major at the Open Championship while Jack Nicklaus plays in his final major.

July 23, 2006: Repeats as Open Champion at Royal Liverpool, marking his first major win after his father’s passing.

August 20, 2006: Becomes the only golfer to win the PGA Championship at the same venue (Medinah) twice.

October 1, 2006: Claims victory at the WGC-American Express Championship with a record aggregate score of 261.

Struggles with Injuries and Personal Challenges

August 12, 2007: Wins the PGA Championship at Southern Hills, just weeks after rupturing his ACL.

April 15, 2008: Undergoes arthroscopic knee surgery to repair cartilage damage.

June 16, 2008: Finds triumph in adversity, capturing the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines while playing with significant injuries.

June 24, 2008: Has surgery to repair his torn ACL, sidelining him for the rest of the season.

August 16, 2009: For the first time, Woods fails to win a major when leading after 54 holes, as Y.E. Yang overtakes him.

November 27, 2009: In the wake of infidelity allegations, a domestic incident with then-wife Elin Nordegren leads to a car crash.

December 11, 2009: Announces an indefinite break from golf.

February 19, 2010: Publicly addresses his behavior in a televised apology.

Resurgence and Legacy

2011: Moves his family into a luxurious mansion on Jupiter Island valued at $60 million.

March 4, 2012: Makes a strong return at the Honda Classic, finishing tied for second.

March 25, 2012: Claims victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his first title in over two years.

August 4, 2013: Dominates the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, winning by seven shots.

April 1, 2014: Announces he will miss the Masters for the first time as a pro due to back surgery.

August 10, 2015: Opens The Woods, a restaurant and sports dining venue in Jupiter.

September 18, 2015: Undergoes a second microdiscectomy to relieve nerve pressure in his back.

April 20, 2017: Has a successful spinal fusion surgery to alleviate chronic pain.

May 29, 2017: Arrested for DUI while recovering from back surgery.

October 27, 2017: Pleads guilty to reckless driving instead of serving jail time.

April 14, 2019: Breaks an 11-year major drought by winning his fifth Masters.

Recognition and New Ventures

May 6, 2019: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

October 27, 2019: Wins the Zozo Championship in Japan, tying Sam Snead’s PGA Tour record of 82 titles.

February 23, 2021: Experiences a serious car crash in Los Angeles, resulting in severe injuries requiring surgery.

March 9, 2022: Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

August 24, 2022: Co-founds TGL, an innovative indoor golf league, with Rory McIlroy.

August 21, 2023: Appointed to the PGA Tour Policy Board as a player director.

January 7, 2025: Witnesses the launch of TGL; his team, Jupiter Links Golf Club, debuts.

March 1, 2025: Proudly supports his daughter, Sam, at her girls’ soccer state championship.

November 15, 2025: Cheers for his son, Charlie, as he competes for the boys’ golf state championship title.

Reflecting on his tumultuous journey, Tiger Woods has not only transformed the game of golf but also continues to inspire countless fans and aspiring golfers worldwide, especially in Palm Beach County where he has established deep roots.