And adds another feather to his cap

One of the greatest golfers of the modern era, Tiger Woods, celebrates his 40th birthday today.  There was a time that it looked as if Tiger would rule the world of golf forever. The American golf phenomenon was World Number One for 683 weeks.  And if that wasn’t impressive enough, he was the best golfer in the world for a record 281 consecutive weeks from June 2005 to November 2010.

 

His fall from grace has been well-documented over the past few years, yet few would have ever expected the formidable Tiger to drop out of the top-100 in the world rankings so quickly. After a series of injuries and operations, the scandals in his personal life, and playing in few tournaments, events took their toll on Tiger in April 2015 when his Official World Ranking dropped to 104th, his worst in nearly 20 years.  In December, however, that slipped even further to 416th.  Even more serious in Tiger’s mind perhaps, is the fact that it’s been eight years since he won his last Major – the 2008 US Open.

 

Tiger, the Golden Bear and the Ryder Cup

 

However, let’s not be glum on Tiger’s birthday. Let us celebrate and concentrate on Tiger’s brilliance.  Reflect upon the magic he has displayed in his career to date.  He has already won 14 Majors, and is still seriously focussed on beating Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear’s, record of 18 Majors.  Albeit in a quieter, less obsessive manner.  Tiger has already had 79 victories on the PGA Tour.  With 82 PGA titles to his name, only golf legend Sam Snead (1912-2002) has more.

 

Tiger has earned more than 110 million dollars in official PGA Tour prizemoney alone since turning professional at the end of 1996. And this doesn’t include all the lucrative sponsorship contracts and appearance money.

 

Whatever happens with Tiger’s own golf, a new era begins for him this season as he takes on the role as an assistant captain to Davis Love III in the 2016 Ryder Cup. The experience could do him the world of good.

 

Will Tiger be a force to be reckoned with again in 2016? Well, you know what they say:  “Life begins at 40!”   Perhaps this is just a “blip” in his dazzling career.  In which case, Tiger, and Tiger fans worldwide, take note:  “Life can begin again at 40!”

 

 

Happy 40th Birthday, Tiger!

 

Wendy Hoad

 

 

Eldrick Tont Woods was born in Cypress, California. He got his nickname “Tiger” from his father Earl Woods who named him after a Vietnamese soldier friend of his in Vietnam.  Tiger has two children: Sam Alexis (8) and Charlie Axel (6).