Tiger Woods’s Top 50 Defining Moments Ranked

From his greatest triumphs to off-course setbacks, SI Golf counts down Tiger Woods’s defining moments for his 50th birthday on Dec. 30.

Woods's top 50 moments include many will be instantly recognizable to golf fans. | Stan Badz, Robyn Beck, CBS, Mike Ehrmann, Mark Perlstein, Chung Sung-Jun, Getty Images/Sports Illustrated

On Dec. 30, Tiger Woods turns 50 years old. To honor the moment, and Woods's life and career, SI Golf looked back at all of it and ranked his top 50 defining moments—including incredible triumphs and big business deals, on-course defeats, injuries and, yes, even the scandals.

Nos. 50-41: Thrilling wins and post-scandal triumphs

Tiger Woods made a triumphant return at the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational. | Fred Vuich/Sports Illustrated

50. Co-founds TGL, plays for his own Jupiter Links team
49. First U.S. Amateur win in 1994
48. Beats Phil Mickelson by one in thrilling Sunday duel at Doral
47. Named by commissioner Jay Monahan to PGA Tour Policy Board
46. Wins 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational for first Tour title since scandal
45. A terrible pairing with Mickelson at the 2004 Ryder Cup
44. Misses Masters in 2014 for first time as a pro
43. Returns 14 months after car crash and makes cut at the Masters
42. Returns from scandal at the 2010 Masters and ties for 4th
41. Wins 2019 Zozo Championship for PGA Tour record-tying 82nd title

Nos. 40-31: From the Mike Douglas Show to the Hall of Fame

Tiger Woods was the focus of the golf media world at the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open. | J.D. Cuban/Getty Images

40. Appears on the Mike Douglas Show at age 2
39. Epic bunker shot at the 2000 Bell Canadian Open
38. Wins third straight U.S. Junior in 1993
37. Walk-off birdie at 2009 Arnold Palmer for first title since knee surgery
36. Misses all eight major championships in 2016-17
35. Spinal fusion surgery in 2017 leads to comeback
34. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
33. Makes an ace in his first pro tournament
32. Bounces ball on his wedge in Nike commercial
31. Destroys Stephen Ames at 2006 Match Play

Nos. 30-21: Piling up majors and memorable shots

30. Marries Elin Nordegren in 2004
29. Earns first pro win at 1996 Las Vegas Invitational
28. Erases seven-shot deficit on back nine to win 2000 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
27. Wins 2006 PGA Championship by five shots
26. Wins 2007 PGA Championship by two shots
25. The ‘Shot in the Dark’ at 2000 NEC Invitational
24. Wins 2018 Tour Championship for 80th PGA Tour title
23. Wins 2002 Masters
22. The Mugshot
21. Aces par-3 16th hole at 1997 Phoenix Open

Nos. 20-11: “Hello, world,” more majors and “Better than most”

20. “Hello, world”
19. Wins 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black
18. Second British Open victory at St. Andrews
17. PGA Tour record 142 consecutive made cuts comes to an end
16. “Better than most” putt at 2001 Players Championship
15. Wins 2006 British Open for first major title since father’s death
14. Outduels Sergio Garcia at 1999 PGA Championship
13. Cruises at 2000 British Open at St. Andrews to complete career Grand Slam
12. Wins 2000 PGA Championship in playoff over Bob May
11. Car crash in Los Angeles in 2021

Tiger Woods’s Top 10 Defining Moments

10. Wins third straight U.S. Amateur in 1996
9. “The Drop” at the 2013 Masters
8. Falls to Y.E. Yang at 2009 PGA Championship
7. Extramarital affairs and ensuing scandal
6. Wins 2005 Masters after an epic chip-in
5. Completes the Tiger Slam at 2001 Masters
4. Wins 2000 U.S. Open by 15 shots
3. Wins 2008 U.S. Open despite a broken leg
2. Wins the 2019 Masters at age 43
1. Wins the 1997 Masters