Golden age

It's hard to believe the man who has entertained, surprised and wowed us for decades is now 50 years old. Gavin Newsham reflects on 50 of Tiger's finest words, deeds and moments from the age of two to the present day

- Gavin Newsham

50 RECORDS GALORE, 1997-2025

Where do you begin? PGA and PGA Tour Player of the Year a record 11 times? Or maybe PGA Tour money leader a record ten times? Is it the Vardon Trophy winner a record nine times? Or the Byron Nelson Award that he has taken a record nine times, too?

Then there’s the World Golf Hall of Fame, the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Exemption (created just for him), countless sportsman or athlete of the year awards - the list goes on and on. He even got the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump in 2019.

49 THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD, 1987

On November 28, 1987, Tiger Woods - aged 11 years and 11 months - and his father, Earl, played a round of golf at the Long Beach Navy golf course. Over the first nine holes, Tiger struggled and was over par, but once he reached the turn, he became an altogether different player.