The legends don’t age; their legacy just gets stronger. When you hear the name Tiger Woods, what comes to your mind? 15-time major winner? Legendary golfer? Maybe the most successful one? Well, all of those definitely fit, but there’s something else this name is really known for: golf. Woods isn’t just a golfer; he’s the guy who made the game a household name and turned it into one of the most loved sports around.

You think that’s a bit of an exaggeration? Well, if it is, so be it. This year, you may have not Woods much on the course. But does that affect his legendary status? Not a bit. Woods turns 49 on December 30, and we’ve got you covered with 49 insane Woods facts that’ll show you exactly why he’s the ‘Greatest of All Time.’

49 Woods astonishing facts

1. The story behind “Tiger”

So, you know him as Tiger Woods, but did you know he got his nickname from his dad’s friend, Vietnam War Colonel, Vuong Dang “Tiger” Phong? This guy was so impressed with Woods’s golfing skills that he gave him the name.

2. Real name alert

Woods’s real name? Eldrick Tont Woods. “Eldrick” combines his dad’s (Earl) and mom’s (Kutilda) initials. And “Tont”? That’s a traditional Thai name.

3. First words

At just 10 months old, Woods’s first words were reportedly “golf club.” Talk about being destined for greatness! But Woods did definitely mimicked his father swinging a golf club when he was 10 months old as per ESPN

4. Prodigy at 2

By the age of 2, Woods was already swinging clubs. That’s pretty much unheard of for most kids, right?

5. TV Star at 2

Not only was Woods playing golf at age 2, but he also appeared on The Mike Douglas Show, where he showed off his skills alongside comedy legend Bob Hope.

6. Junior champ

Woods’s junior golf career was epic. He won the prestigious Junior World Golf Championship six times between 1991 and 1996.

7.Hole-in-One at 6

He hit his first hole-in-one when he was just 6 years old at the Navy Golf Course in Cypress. Most of us are still trying to hit one by the time we’re, like, 30.

8. High school standout

Woods was a two-time All-American in high school at Western High School in Anaheim. Not bad for a teenager, huh?

9. First pro win

In 1996, Woods made his mark as a pro by winning the Las Vegas Invitational. He was just getting started.

10. PGA Tour debut

He made his PGA Tour debut in 1996 at the Greater Milwaukee Open. It was only a matter of time before he took over the tour.

11. Career Grand Slam

Woods is in a league of his own—he’s one of only five golfers in history to win all four major championships. Yeah, you read that right: all four.

12. Fastest to 50 wins

Woods became the fastest player to win 50 PGA Tour events at 30 years old. He did it in just 347 starts. Talk about efficiency!

13. World No. 1

Woods reached No. 1 in the World Golf Rankings in 1997, and he’s held that spot for a record 683 weeks. That’s more than anyone else in history.

14. Longest streak at No. 1

His 281 consecutive weeks as No. 1 is another record that seems unbreakable. He held that spot from 2005 to 2010.

15. 19 Major Championships

With 15 majors under his belt, Woods is one of the most successful golfers ever. And his tally includes five Masters wins, four U.S. Opens, three Open Championships, and four PGA Championships.

16. Net worth

Let’s talk money— Woods has earned over $1.8 billion throughout his career. That’s a mix of prize money, endorsement deals, and business ventures. He has a net worth of $1.3 billion, making him one of the wealthiest athletes ever.

17. Notable victories

His 2000 U.S. Open win is legendary—he won by 15 strokes, a margin still unmatched. Then there’s the 2008 U.S. Open, where he triumphed after knee surgery. Talk about resilience.

18. The Woods slam

From 2000 to 2001, Woods became the first golfer ever to hold all four major titles at the same time. That’s what we call unstoppable.

19. Golfing family

Woods’s dad, Earl Woods, was his first coach, and his mom, Kultida, has been his emotional rock throughout the years. Golf greatness runs in the family.

20. Giving back

In 1996, Woods founded the Tiger Woods Foundation to help underprivileged kids get a quality education. Now that’s using fame for good.

21. Business mogul

Woods doesn’t just dominate the golf course. He’s also got TGR Design, (a golf course design firm), TGR Live (an events company), and the tech-infused TGL league, which he launched in collaboration with Rory McIlroy. He also has his own apparel brand called Sun Day Red.

22. Brand favorite face

Woods was a brand magnet from the start. In 1997, he signed a 5-year, $40 million deal with Nike, plus contracts with Titleist and American Express. He’s also worked with Gatorade, Rolex, and TaylorMade. Safe to say, Woods’s face is everywhere.

23. Knee injury struggles

Woods’s knee has been through a lot, including multiple surgeries. In 2008, he had reconstructive surgery on his ACL. But that didn’t stop him.

24. Back issues nearly ended his career

Spinal fusion surgery in 2017 had Woods seriously questioning his future. Recently in September 2024, he underwent his sixth back surgery. But, hey, if anyone can bounce back, it’s him.

25. 2019 Masters victory

After years of battling injuries, Woods made one of the most epic comebacks in sports history, winning the 2019 Masters—his 15th major victory.

26. Comeback king

That 2019 Masters win? It was his first major championship in 11 years, and he became the second-oldest winner in Masters history. True perseverance.

27.“The Big Cat”

Woods’s aggressive, yet controlled style earned him the nickname “The Big Cat,” because, like a cat, he’s fierce but graceful on the course.

28. Global impact

Woods didn’t just make golf popular in the U.S.; he helped bring the sport to a global audience, making it accessible to non-traditional countries.

29.Course designer extraordinaire

Woods’s got more than 20 golf courses under his belt. He’s contributing to the sport in ways other golfers only dream of.

30. Infidelity scandal

In late 2009, Woods was involved in a highly publicized infidelity scandal. Multiple women came forward alleging affairs with Woods, leading to his divorce from Elin Nordegren in 2010.

31. 2009 car accident

On November 27, 2009, Woods was involved in a car accident near his home in Florida. He collided with a fire hydrant and a tree, sustaining minor injuries. This incident occurred shortly after the infidelity allegations surfaced.

32. 2017 DUI arrest

 In May 2017, Woods was arrested for driving under the influence in Florida. Police found him asleep at the wheel of his car, which was stopped on the side of the road. Toxicology reports revealed a combination of prescription medications in his system.

33. 2021 car accident

On February 23, 2021, Woods was involved in a single-car accident in California. He suffered significant leg injuries and underwent emergency surgery. The accident was later attributed to excessive speed and loss of control.

34. Family life: Sam and Charlie

Woods shares two children with his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren: daughter Sam Alexis Woods and son Charlie Axel Woods.

35. Daughter sam as Caddie

During the 2024 PNC Championship, Sam returned as Woods’s caddie, after handling his bag in the 2023 event, showcasing their close bond and her support for his career.

36. Family bonding at PNC Championship

Woods, Elin, and their children participated together in the 2024 PNC Championship, highlighting their strong family ties and shared love for golf. Elin and Woods even shared a hug that had the golf world drooling.

37. Record TV audience for PNC Championship

The 2024 PNC Championship, featuring Woods and Charlie, set a new TV audience record, with over 2.92 million viewers for the first round.

38. First major appearance since 2021

The 2024 PNC Championship marked Woods’s first significant return to the golf course since back surgery and recovering from a near-fatal car accident in 2021.

39. A true sports fanatic

Woods isn’t just about golf—he’s a big fan of all kinds of sports, from basketball and soccer to even diving. And when he’s not on the course, you’ll probably find him gaming, with Call of Duty being one of his favorites.

40. A Spiritual side

Woods follows Buddhism, which has been a part of his life for many years. It’s something that helps him stay grounded, both on and off the course.

41. Overcoming challenges

As a child, Woods struggled with a stutter. He worked through it by taking speech classes and even practiced talking to his dog at night.

42. Woods’s stance on golf carts

Woods has always walked the course during PGA Tour events, believing that using a cart goes against the traditional spirit of the game. He’s made it clear that he won’t use a cart, even with his past injuries. However, he’s open to using one once he transitions to the PGA Tour Champions at age 50.

43. Home base for practice

Woods now calls Jupiter, Florida home, where he has built impressive practice facilities right on his property. He’s also frequently seen working on his game at Medalist Golf Club, which is nearby and believed to be his go-to spot for most of his training.

45. Woods luxurious rides

Woods isn’t just about golf—he also owns a yacht, aptly named Privacy, where he likes to relax during tournaments near water. On top of that, he owns a Gulfstream G550 private jet, making travel as luxurious as it gets.

46. Inspiring young golfers

Woods has inspired a whole new generation of golfers, particularly from minority backgrounds, to pick up the game and pursue their own greatness.

47. Revolutionizing fitness in golf

Before Woods, golf fitness wasn’t a thing. He made strength and conditioning a priority for golfers everywhere, raising the bar for what it takes to compete.

48. Cultural icon

And let’s not forget—Woods isn’t just a golfer; he’s a global cultural icon who’s broken barriers and made history both on and off the course.

49. Looking ahead to the Champions Tour

Woods has hinted at his future in the Champions Tour, with Padraig Harrington revealing that Woods mentioned he was “looking forward to coming out” and “can’t wait to beat you” on the senior circuit. As he approaches 50, Woods is already eyeing victories in the next chapter of his career.

Woods’ story isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Whether he’s inspiring the next generation of golfers, making moves in business, or gearing up for the Champions Tour, there’s still so much more to come. Every win, every setback, and every comeback just proves one thing: legends don’t age—they get stronger. Woods’s journey is far from over.