Tiger Woods to Miss Hero World Challenge: “Disappointed”
Tiger Woods to Miss Hero World Challenge: “Disappointed”
In a recent announcement via his social media channels, Tiger Woods expressed his disappointment at being unable to compete in this year’s Hero World Challenge. The tournament, which takes place from December 5-8 in Albany, Bahamas, is hosted by Woods’ foundation. Although he won’t be playing, the 15-time Major champion shared that he looks forward to hosting the event. Woods also revealed the final three players confirmed for the field: Justin Thomas, his close friend and recent father, Jason Day, and Nick Dunlap.
Born Eldrick Tont Woods to an African-American father, Earl, and a Thai mother, Kultida, Tiger was introduced to golf at a very young age. His father, who gave him the nickname “Tiger,” noticed his son’s prodigious talent early on. By 15, Woods became the youngest-ever winner of the National Junior Championships, a feat he would repeat in the following years. He also won three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles from 1994 to 1996, before turning professional. Woods’ early professional years were marked by impressive success, with two victories in his debut season.
Woods went on to achieve an extraordinary career, winning 15 Major tournaments, second only to Jack Nicklaus’ 18. His career spanned from his 1997 Masters victory to his most recent win at the 2019 Masters. Woods’ legacy is defined by several iconic moments, including his legendary approach shot at the 2005 Masters and his remarkable 2008 U.S. Open victory despite playing with a fractured tibia and torn knee ligaments. Along the way, Woods has engaged in memorable rivalries with Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh, with the two often challenging his dominance.
Woods holds several impressive records, including 54 victories to just four losses in tournaments where he led after three rounds. His “Sunday Red” attire has become iconic, and he is often associated with a dominant performance in the final round. He has also set records in all four Major tournaments, including being the only player, alongside Nicklaus, to win the “Career Grand Slam” three times. Additionally, Woods is the only golfer in history to win multiple Major titles in consecutive years (2005-2006).
In 1997, at the age of 21 years and 3 months, Woods won the Masters, becoming its youngest-ever winner. Between 2000 and 2001, he achieved the “Tiger Slam,” winning all four Major tournaments consecutively, though not in the same calendar year. This remains an unmatched feat in golf history.
Woods has long expressed his goal of surpassing Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Major victories. Currently, Woods has 15 Majors to his name, with the 2019 Masters being his most recent triumph.
Beyond his golf career, Woods has become a major brand ambassador. In 2006, he renewed a lucrative contract with Nike, which had sponsored him since 1996. The new deal brought Woods over $25 million annually, including royalties. He also signed a $100 million endorsement deal with PepsiCo for Gatorade and advertised the popular Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game series. In 2007, Woods was the highest-paid athlete in the world, earning over $122 million. According to Forbes, he ranked first on their list of highest-paid athletes in 2012, with earnings of $83.1 million. By 2014, his earnings had dropped to $50.6 million, placing him in 9th position. In 2016, his net worth was estimated to be around $740 million.
Tiger Woods’ impact on the world of golf and sports in general remains unmatched, both on and off the course.
