Tiger Woods

Eldrick 'Tiger' Woods (born December 30, 1975) is one of the greatest golfers of all-time. As of July 2002, at only 26 years of age, Woods had already won 8 "major" tour events on the PGA Tour[?]. He is one of only five players (along with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player[?]) in the history of golf to hold the championships to all four major tournaments at once, although this did not occur in a calendar year, and is subsequently not recognized by some as a true "Grand Slam". Before joining the PGA Tour, Woods won three consecutive United States amateur titles, and one NCAA championship while studying at Stanford University.

Woods' major tournament victories are as follows:

• The Masters (1997, 2001, 2002)
• US Open (golf) (2000, 2002)
• British Open (2000)
• PGA Championship (1999, 2000)

Woods has an excellent all-around game. He is one of the longer drivers on the tour (20th place in 2003), with a driving distance average of 293.3 so far in 2003. His iron play is excellent, as evidenced by the fact that he is usually among the tour leaders in Greens in Regulation. He is also one of the best putters, at 20th place so far in 2003.

Woods, who has African-American, Asian, Native American, and Caucasian ancestors, is credited with prompting a major surge of interest in the game of golf, especially among minorities and younger people in the United States.