Tiger Woods is one of the most famous and successful golfers of all time, with 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour wins to his name. But he is not the only member of his family who has made a mark in the sport. His niece, Cheyenne Woods, is also a professional golfer who has competed on various tours around the world. How are they related and what are their similarities and differences as golfers? Here is a brief overview of their family ties and careers.
The Woods family tree
Tiger Woods was born Eldrick Tont Woods on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California. He is the only child of Earl Woods Sr., a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and Vietnam War veteran, and Kultida Woods, a native of Thailand. Tiger’s father was of African American, Chinese and Native American ancestry, while his mother was of Thai, Chinese and Dutch descent. Tiger’s parents met in Bangkok, where Earl was stationed as part of the U.S. military.
Earl Woods Sr. had four children from his first marriage to Barbara Gary: Earl Jr., Kevin, Royce and Deana. They are Tiger’s half-siblings, and they are much older than him. Earl Jr., the eldest, was born in 1955, while Deana, the youngest, was born in 1960.
Cheyenne Woods was born Cheyenne Nicole Woods on July 25, 1990, in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the daughter of Susan Woods and Earl Dennison Woods Jr., who is Tiger’s half-brother. Cheyenne is therefore Tiger’s half-niece. Cheyenne’s father is also of mixed race, while her mother is white. Cheyenne has a younger brother named Lindsey.
The golfing careers of Tiger and Cheyenne
Tiger Woods started playing golf at a very young age, under the guidance of his father, who was an avid golfer himself. Tiger showed exceptional talent and won numerous junior and amateur tournaments before turning professional in 1996 at the age of 20. He quickly rose to fame and dominance in the golf world, winning his first major, the Masters, in 1997 by a record-breaking margin of 12 strokes. He became the world number one for the first time in June 1997, less than a year after turning pro.
Tiger continued to dominate the sport for the next decade, winning 13 more majors and setting many records along the way. He was the top-ranked golfer in the world for most of the period from 1999 to 2010, with only brief interruptions by other players. He also became one of the most popular and influential athletes in history, earning millions of dollars from endorsements and appearances.
However, Tiger’s career also faced many challenges and setbacks, both on and off the course. He suffered from various injuries that affected his performance and required several surgeries. He also went through a personal scandal in 2009 that exposed his infidelity and led to his divorce from his wife Elin Nordegren, with whom he has two children: Sam and Charlie. He lost many sponsors and fans as a result of his tarnished image.
Tiger’s comeback story is also remarkable, as he overcame his physical and mental struggles to return to competitive golf. He won his first tournament in five years at the Tour Championship in 2018 and his first major in 11 years at the Masters in 2019. He also tied Sam Snead’s record for the most PGA Tour wins with 82. However, he faced another setback in February 2021 when he was involved in a serious car accident that left him with multiple leg injuries.
Cheyenne Woods also started playing golf at a young age, inspired by her grandfather Earl Sr., who was her first coach and mentor. She played for Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix and won two state championships in 2006 and 2007. She then attended Wake Forest University in North Carolina, where she played for the Demon Deacons women’s golf team. She won more than 30 amateur tournaments, including the Atlantic Coast Conference championship in 2011.
Cheyenne turned professional in 2012 after graduating from Wake Forest. She qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open that year and made her pro debut at the LPGA Championship. She had her first pro win on the SunCoast Ladies Series in August 2012. She then joined the Ladies European Tour (LET) in 2013 and won her first major tour title at the Volvik RACV Ladies Masters in Australia in 2014.
Cheyenne also earned her LPGA Tour card through qualifying school in 2014 and 2015, but she struggled to keep her status as a full-time member due to inconsistent results. She has played mostly on the Symetra Tour since then, which is the developmental tour for the LPGA. She has also worked as a golf analyst and reporter for various media outlets, such as Golf Channel and CBS Sports.
Cheyenne has often been compared to her uncle Tiger, both in terms of their golf skills and their mixed-race backgrounds. She has acknowledged the influence and support of Tiger in her career, but she has also expressed her desire to be recognized for her own achievements and identity. She has also been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in golf, especially for women and people of color.
Conclusion
Tiger Woods and Cheyenne Woods are related by blood, as they are half-uncle and half-niece. They are also connected by their passion and talent for golf, as they have both pursued professional careers in the sport. However, they have also faced different challenges and opportunities in their journeys, as they have carved their own paths and identities in the golf world. They are both inspiring examples of how golf can transcend boundaries and bring people together.
