The 19 biggest ups and downs of Tiger Woods' career
Tiger Woods has seen amazing highs and lows in his career.
After back surgery last year and poor play and injury at the start of 2015, Woods wasn't expected to play at the Masters.
The 39-year-old Woods has returned to the Masters and though that would-be triumphant return has been overshadowed by the dazzling opening performance of rival Jordan Spieth, Woods showed signs of his old game and finished just shy of the top ten on Friday going into weekend play, April 10, 2015.
1997 Masters
A 21-year-old Tiger captivated the world and crushed his competitors on his way to winning his first Masters by 12 strokes.
2000 British Open
At just 24, Tiger locked down the career Grand Slam with a dominant win at the British Open.
2000 U.S. Open
A ridiculous 15 strokes separated Tiger from the field at the end of the 2000 U.S. Open. The record still stands to this very day.
2001 Masters
Woods completed the "Tiger Slam" with his 2001 Masters victory, leaving him as the defending champion of all four majors.
The chip
The 2005 Masters saw Tiger hit one of the most amazing and iconic golf shots in the history of the sport. It’s referred to simply as "The Chip."
2006 British Open
An emotional Tiger dedicated his 2006 British Open victory to his father, who had passed away just a few months earlier.
2006 PGA Championship
With just three bogeys over all four rounds, Tiger shot his way to a 12th major championship.
2008 U.S. Open
Battling a fractured leg and a bum knee, Tiger hobbled his way to one of the most thrilling victories of his career, overcoming Rocco Mediate in a playoff to win the 2008 U.S. Open.
Reconstructive knee surgery
Just days after his incredible victory at the 2008 U.S. Open, Tiger underwent season-ending surgery ACL on his knee.
The Y.E. Yang Shocker
Tiger was seemingly invincible when he had the lead going into the final round of the 2009 PGA Championship.
Y.E. Yang changed that in a big way with a shocking comeback against Woods to win the championship.
The crash
In 2009, the nation awoke from its Thanksgiving slumber to the news that Tiger had wrecked his Escalade following a fight with his wife. They would divorce less than a year later.
The scandal
The Thanksgiving weekend crash was just the tip of the iceberg, as news of Tiger’s extramarital affairs with numerous women dominated headlines for months to come.
The press conference
In February of 2010, a notoriously private Woods stood and apologized at a press conference watched by millions.
Parts ways with Steve Williams
After 12 years as a team and having won 13 majors together, Tiger shocked the world by firing caddie Steve Williams.
2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Following a tumultuous 924-day stretch without a PGA Tour victory, Tiger found himself back in the winner’s circle at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Tiger & Lindsey Vonn
In March of 2013, Tiger went public with his relationship to Olympic skiing champ Lindsey Vonn. The couple is still together.
Tiger Woods Back Surgery
Back surgery in March of 2014 forced Tiger to miss the Masters for the first time in his career.
Back Injury Resurfaces
Tiger’s back failed him once again at this year’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Woods withdrew from the tournament after just 11 holes, leaving us all to wonder when, and if, we’ll ever see him back in true Tiger form.