A Long Drive for Endorsements!Eldrick "Tiger" Woods is regarded as America's golf guru -- the "future of golf" and "the best golfer of all time."
Woods was nick-named "Tiger" by his father as a Vietnamese army officer. His birth-given name was Eldrick, but since he has achieved national prominence he has always been called Tiger Woods. Before his death at age 74 in May 2006, Woods' father Earl Woods was the chairman of the Tiger Woods Foundation, a charitable organization.
Woods' mixed race has made him a role model for minorities and especially young people in the United States. He told Oprah Winfrey that he refers to himself as "Cablinasian," -- a mixture of caucasian, black, American Indian and asian.
His biggest impact on fans is his deadly accurate long drive. He won three consecutive American Amateur titles and then turned pro in 1996 when he signed a $40 million contract with Nike. In April of 2001, Woods won The Masters for a second time and became the first golfer to hold the 2000 US Open, British Open and PGA Championship, and 2001 Masters titles simultaneously. He also won The Masters in 2002 and 2005. In all, Woods has won over 45 official money events on the PGA Tour and 15 other professional titles and is only one of five golfers to have won all four major professional championships.
Recently, Woods has seen two amazing streaks. First, his 264 weeks as the highest-ranked player was stopped by Vijay Singh in September, 2005. In May 2005, his PGA Tour record of making consecutive cuts ended at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship. He made $80 million from endorsements and appearance fees.
Tiger always wears a red shirt during the final round of every tournament he plays in. The red color, particularly in his mother's position, is a symbol of power.
The mention of Woods has become a device to attract publicity. In 2002, he endorsed the 2002 Buick Rendezvou SUV, which was later deemed the second most dangerous by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. He also has mutual funds which do not meet activists' ethical investment requirements.
Woods became engaged to Swedish model, Elin Nordegren in 2003 after being introduced by golfer Jesper Parnevik. They married in front of approximately 200 friends and family on October 5, 2004. Their home is in Windermere, Florida (an Orlando suburb). | 
