His Childhood

Eldrick Tont Woods was born in 1975. He was called “Tiger” by his father Earl Wood. It was not the first time his father had named someone “Tiger”. His father was in Army as an infantry officer and was stationed in Vietnam twice. During one of his tour to Vietnam, he met a soldier named Vuong Dang Phong. They became friends soon after and Earl nicknamed him Tiger. It was on the same tour he met his future wife Kultida who belonged to Thailand.

First Time With Golf

From the very young age, Tiger Woods started playing golf. He was only 13 years old when he got a chance to take on professional golfers. His first professional competitor was 22 years old John Daly in 1989 Insurance Youth Golf Classic. Though he lost the game to Daly by one stroke he emerged as a highly talented golfer overshadowing Daly in a couple of years.

First Appearance On TV

Tiger made his very first national TV appearance in The Mike Douglas Show. Mike Douglas had seen him in a feature that had enlisted the kids at the driving range. He also had a light-hearted putting contest with then-famous comedian Bob Hope who also was a guest on the show. Everyone knew he was going to become a great golfer but hardly anyone knew he was about to create history.

Holds Many Records

He was always an achiever. As an amateur, he acquired victory in 18 straight match-play tournament in 1996. He also holds the record of being the only golfer to win three U.S. Amateur Championships. He did it all at the tender age of 15 making him the youngest amateur champion of all time.