Tiger Woods

DATE OF BIRTH

December 30, 1975

Tiger Woods is a great athlete, and well on the road to becoming a hero. Before the age of 20, he’ d already attracted thousands of worshippers. For example, Sports Illustrated, the American bible of sports coverage rarely reserves ten pages to profile a college kid. But the magazine fairly gushed with reverence over the young golfer in March of 1995, exclaiming, “Only 19, amateur sensation Tiger Woods has the golf world shaking its head in awe.” Likewise, Newsweek heralded Woods’s prodigious talent, declaring in bold print: “He can hit like [Greg] Norman, putt like [Jack] Nicklaus, and think like a Stanford freshman. He’s already the best 19-year-old American golfer ever.” On August 28, 1996, Woods turned pro, according to The Source, “because there were no challenges left for him at the amateur level….”

Writers had ample reason to employ so many superlatives. At the age of 15, Woods had become not only the first black man to win the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, but also its youngest victor. He was also the first male to win three U.S. Junior titles--1991, 1992, 1993--and had enjoyed a few casual rounds with professional golfers Sam Snead, Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, and John Daly. Woods’s amateur title also qualified him for a trio of prestigious professional events—the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open. Perhaps more importantly, the Stanford freshman captured the latter championship by staging the greatest comeback in a game in the 99-year history of the tournament. It was a dazzling performance that suggested Woods was a champion of the highest order.

Tom Watson, a tried and true legend himself, called Woods “the most important young golfer in the last 50 years.Another golfing great, Bryon Nelson, told Newsweek that compared to the youthful games of Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson, Woods stood alone. “I’ve seen ’em all,” he said, adding, “This fellow has no weakness.Coach Butch Harmon, who tutored Greg Norman and later Woods, declared, “He handles pressure like a 30-year-old. And his creativity is amazing. Some of the shots I’ve seen him hit remind me of Norman and Arnold Palmer.”

For golf fans who love nothing more than to enjoy a game of this most beautiful sport in the comfort of their own home, the wait is almost over - soon it will be possible to take a swing at Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 and test out your game in some of the world's most revered golf courses.

Play like a true pro with this masterful game, where you can play at the incredible Augusta National Golf Club for the first time ever in a Tiger Woods PGA tour game. You'll be able to compete at this prestigious and elusive professional club and make an attempt for the distinctive Green Jacket, all while enjoying the comfort and serenity of your own home. While playing golf on your gaming console may not be exactly like the same thing, in many respects it's pretty darn close - and when it comes to the winter months, nothing quite beats settling down with a Tiger Woods golf game knowing that the bitter weather outside is safely sealed away and you don't have to worry about freezing or losing your ball in a mound of snow!

Other new features in this edition for the game are numerous. An all new broadcast presentation package includes Jim Nantz and David Feherty taking the lead, and an incredible new feature of 3D grass will truly bring the game to life before your very eyes. Players will be able to earn their passage through the amateur tour, followed by Qualifying School and the Nationwide Tour. If you're good enough, you can get yourself placed on the PGA Tour and learn what it's like for an amateur golfer to progress through the ranks of celebrity in the all new career mode included in the game. If you've ever wanted to know what it's like for an amateur golfer trying to work their way to the top, this mode is perfect for you.

Another great feature is the caddie you can bring with you. Your caddie will assist and support you thoughout the game, evaluating the wind, lie and yardage before offering you recommendations for your shot. As you go through the game, your caddie's knowledge of each course will also grow until they become invaluable to your game.