Tiger Woods

TIGER WOODS DISCOVER THE LIFE OF A SPORTS STAR David and Patricia Armentrout

© 2004 Rourke Publishing LLC All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. www.rourkepublishing.com PHOTO CREDITS: All photos © Getty Images Title page: Tiger Woods is the youngest player to win the Masters Golf Tournament. Editor: Frank Sloan Cover and interior design by Nicola Stratford

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Armentrout, David, 1962Tiger Woods / David and Patricia Armentrout. v. cm. — (Discover the life of a sports star) Includes bibliographical references and index. Contents: A natural -- Tiger's family -- A special athlete -- National attention -- A family project -- Amateur champion -- A true professional -- Masters champion -- The Tiger show continues. ISBN 978-1-58952-656-3 (hardcover) 1. Woods, Tiger--Juvenile literature. 2. Golfers--United States--Biography--Juvenile literature. [1. Woods, Tiger. 2. Golfers. 3. Racially mixed people--Biography.] I. Armentrout, Patricia, 1960- II. Title. III. Series: Armentrout, David, 1962- Discover the life of a sports star. GV964.W66A76 2003 796.352'092—dc21 2003005936

Printed in the USA CG/CG

Table of Contents A Natural Tiger’s Family A Special Athlete National Attention A Family Project Amateur Champion A True Professional Masters Champion The Tiger Show Continues Dates to Remember Glossary Index Further Reading/Websites to Visit

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Tiger sinks a putt on the 16th hole at a golf course in Hawaii during the PGA Grand Slam.

A Natural A phenomenon is an extraordinary person. In the world of sports, Tiger Woods is truly a phenomenon. Some people are born to be artists. Some are born to be leaders. Tiger Woods was born to be a golfer.

Born: December 30, 1975 in Cypress, California Resides: Orlando, Florida Interests: Sports and fishing Majors Record: The Masters: 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005; The Open Championship: 2000, 2005, 2006; PGA Championship: 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007; U.S. Open: 2000, 2002, and 2008. 5

Tiger’s Family Eldrick “Tiger” Woods was born in California on December 30, 1975. His father gave him the nickname “Tiger” after a soldier he had served with during the Vietnam War. Tiger’s parents, Earl and Kultida Woods, met in Thailand during the war. They married and eventually moved to California. Earl and Kultida were determined to make sure Tiger had the opportunity to succeed.

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Tiger with his parents Earl and Kultida Woods.

Earl Woods made sure Tiger had plenty of opportunities on the golf course.

A Special Athlete Earl Woods took up golfing as an adult. Though he was still just a baby, Tiger watched his father swing his golf clubs in the garage. Before he was a year old, Tiger was using a plastic putter to hit golf balls into a net just like his father. Earl Woods later said, “I knew then and there he was something special.”

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Tiger became a golfing sensation at a young age.

National Attention Word soon spread about the child golfer. When he was two years old, Tiger was invited to appear on the “Mike Douglas Television Show.” He squared off in a putting competition against comedian (and golfer) Bob Hope. Tiger won! Tiger also appeared on the television show “That’s Incredible.”

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As a teenager, Tiger spent as much time as he could on the golf course.

A Family Project Tiger’s father knew his son had natural talent. When he was six years old, Tiger shot his first hole in one. At eight, Tiger won his first Junior World Tournament. With hard work, Tiger could be a great golfer. Father and son spent hours together at the golf course. Earl often challenged his son by making noises and movements just before Tiger was ready to swing. The noise helped Tiger learn to focus.

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Amateur Champion An amateur is someone who does not get paid for participating. By the time Tiger turned 11, he had entered 30 amateur competitions. He won them all! Tiger did occasionally lose a competition, but at times it seemed as if he was unbeatable. He won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championships three times in a row from 1991 to 1993. Then, he moved on to the U.S. Amateur Championships and won three times in a row from 1994 to 1996.

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Tiger lines up a putt at the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1996.

A True Professional Tiger attended college at Stanford University in 1994. He won the National Collegiate Athletic Association title in 1996. Tiger accomplished as much or more as any amateur in golfing history. It was time to turn professional. A professional golfer earns money for playing. Tiger turned professional in 1996. He won two of his first nine tournaments and earned more than $1 million.

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Tiger holds up his trophy after winning his first professional golf competition.

Tiger tees off during the 1997 Masters—he won by a wide margin.

Masters Champion In 1997, during Tiger’s second year as a pro, he won one of the most important men’s golf competitions in the world—the Masters. Not only did he win, but he also set many records in the process. He was the youngest player ever to win the Masters. He also had the best overall score in tournament history. No one came close to beating him. Tiger, who comes from a multiethnic background, became the first non-Caucasian Masters champion.

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The Tiger Show Continues Since Tiger’s Masters win in 1997, his list of victories keeps getting longer. He won the Masters again in 2001, 2002 and in 2005, along with many other major competitions. Tiger’s winning attitude has inspired countless children to work hard to accomplish their dreams. In 2006, Tiger’s dad died of cancer. Tiger won the 2006 PGA Championship to honor his dad.

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Tiger Woods is presented the traditional green jacket after winning the 2002 Masters tournament.

Dates to Remember 1975 1978

Born in California December 30 Appears on the “Mike Douglas Television Show” 1984 Wins his first Junior World Tournament 1991-93 Wins the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship 1994-96 Wins the U.S. Amateur Championship 1996 Turns Professional 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 Wins the Masters Tournament 2000, 2002 U.S. Open Champion 1999, 2000, 2006 PGA Championship 22

Glossary amateur (AM uh tur) — someone who participates in a sport for pleasure rather than money competition (com puh TISH un) — a sporting event where athletes try to win multiethnic (MUHL tee ETH nik) — having characteristics or traits from more than one group of people or cultures phenomenon (fe NOM uh non) — an extraordinary person or thing professional (pruh FESH uh nuhl) — someone paid to participate in a sport putter (PUHT ur) — a golf club with a straight face used for short shots

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Index amateur 14, 16 champion 19 competition 11, 14, 19, 20 Masters 19, 20

professional 16, 17, 19 sports 5 Stanford 16 tournaments 13, 16, 19

Further Reading Brown, Jonatha. Tiger Woods. Gareth Stevens, 2005. Doeden, Matt. Tiger Woods. Lerner Publications, 2005. Goodman, Michael. Tiger Woods. Creative Company, 2004.

Websites To Visit www.tigerwoods.com www.twfound.org http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Woods

About The Authors David and Patricia Armentrout have written many nonfiction books for young readers. They have had several books published for primary school reading. The Armentrouts live in Cincinnati, Ohio, with their two children.

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