How did a golfer from Cypress, California, become one of the most recognizable athletes in history? Tiger Woods has won 15 major championships and shares the PGA Tour record for the most career victories with 82 wins. This Tiger Woods Biography covers his age, hometown, wife, children, parents, golf career, major titles, and lasting influence on the sport as of 2026.
Tiger Woods Biography: Quick Facts
| Full Name | Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 30, 1975 |
| Age in 2026 | 50 years old |
| Birthplace | Cypress, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) |
| Turned Professional | 1996 |
| PGA Tour Wins | 82 |
| Major Championships | 15 |
| Children | 2, Sam Alexis Woods and Charlie Axel Woods |
Early Life and Hometown
Tiger Woods was born Eldrick Tont Woods on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, a city in northern Orange County. His nickname, “Tiger,” was given in honor of a South Vietnamese soldier and friend of his father, Earl Woods.
Woods displayed extraordinary golfing ability at an early age. He appeared on television at age two, famously putting with comedian Bob Hope on The Mike Douglas Show. By age three, he had shot a 48 over nine holes at the Navy Golf Course in Cypress. His childhood training, competitive focus, and natural athletic ability quickly made him one of the most closely watched young golfers in America.
He attended Western High School in Anaheim, California, before enrolling at Stanford University in 1994. During his two years at Stanford, Woods won the NCAA individual championship in 1996 and became a three-time U.S. Amateur champion.
Tiger Woods’ Parents and Family Background
Tiger Woods’ parents were Earl Dennison Woods Sr. and Kultida Woods. Earl, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, introduced Tiger to golf before he was two years old. He became his son’s first coach, mentor, and most vocal supporter.
Kultida, who was born in Thailand, played a central role in Tiger’s upbringing and was a consistent presence throughout his amateur and professional career. Earl Woods died on May 3, 2006, at age 74. Kultida Woods died in February 2025 at age 80.
Tiger’s mixed heritage has been an important part of his public story. He has spoken about his African American, Thai, Chinese, Native American, and Dutch ancestry. His diverse background helped broaden golf’s appeal to audiences who had historically felt excluded from the game.
Professional Golf Career and Major Achievements
Tiger Woods turned professional in August 1996 at age 20. His impact was immediate. In 1997, he won the Masters Tournament by a record 12 strokes at Augusta National Golf Club, becoming the youngest Masters champion at 21 and the tournament’s first Black winner.
Woods reached world number one for the first time in June 1997. Over his career, he spent a record 683 weeks ranked number one in the Official World Golf Ranking.
His most dominant period came from 1999 through 2002. During that stretch, Woods completed the “Tiger Slam” by holding all four major championship titles at the same time. He won the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach by 15 strokes, still the largest margin of victory in a major championship.
| Major Championship | Tiger Woods Wins |
|---|---|
| The Masters | 5 |
| PGA Championship | 4 |
| U.S. Open | 3 |
| The Open Championship | 3 |
His fifth Masters victory in 2019 remains one of golf’s greatest comeback stories. It came 11 years after his previous major win and followed multiple back surgeries, personal challenges, and a serious 2021 car accident that caused severe injuries to his right leg.
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Wife?
As of 2026, Tiger Woods is not publicly known to be married. He married Swedish former model Elin Nordegren in 2004. The couple divorced in 2010.
Although Woods has had public relationships since his divorce, he has not announced another marriage. Searches for “Tiger Woods wife” commonly refer to Nordegren, the mother of his two children.
Tiger Woods’ Children
Tiger Woods has two children with Elin Nordegren. Their daughter, Sam Alexis Woods, was born on June 18, 2007. Their son, Charlie Axel Woods, was born on February 8, 2009.
Charlie Woods has developed into a competitive junior golfer and has appeared alongside his father in the PNC Championship, a parent-child event featuring major champions and their family members. Tiger has often said that supporting his children is one of his highest priorities, even as he continues to make selected golf appearances.
Injuries, Comebacks, and Golf Legacy
Injuries have shaped the later years of the Tiger Woods biography. He has undergone multiple surgeries on his back, knee, leg, and ankle. Following the February 2021 single-car crash in Los Angeles County, Woods faced a long rehabilitation process and reduced his tournament schedule.
Despite those physical setbacks, Woods remains a defining figure in modern golf. He transformed tournament television ratings, sponsorship opportunities, athletic training standards, and the global popularity of the PGA Tour. His success also inspired a new generation of junior golfers from more diverse backgrounds.
Beyond competition, Woods has contributed to golf course design through TGR Design and supports education programs through the TGR Foundation. His legacy reaches far beyond his tournament record: Tiger Woods changed how golf is played, watched, marketed, and imagined around the world.
