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CAREER
HIGHLIGHTS: Turned professional in 1996 at
Greater Milwaukee Open, where he finished T60, and
followed with two victories and three top-10s in only
eight starts. ... First top-10 came at Quad City
Classic, where he finished T5 after holding a one-stroke
lead through 54 holes. ... Began final round of Las
Vegas Invitational four strokes back, closed with 64 to
force playoff with Davis Love III, then parred first
extra hole for first TOUR win. Earned $297,000 and was
first sponsor’s exemption to win TOUR event since Phil
Mickelson at 1991 Northern Telecom Open. ... Finished
third the following week at LaCantera Texas Open. ... At
Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic, shot closing 66
for one-stroke win. ... Named PGA TOUR Rookie of the
Year. Also named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the
Year, becoming youngest to receive honor since gymnast
Mary Lou Retton in 1984. ... In 1997, PGA TOUR Player of
the Year, a season that included four victories and nine
top-10 finishes. ... Highlight of year came at Masters
Tournament, where rounds of 70-66-65-69-270 set 72-hole
record. His 12-stroke margin of victory, another Masters
record, was fourth best in TOUR history. ... In first
start after Masters, won GTE Byron Nelson Classic and
later in summer captured Motorola Western Open. ...
Prior to Masters, won first event of 1997 season at
rain-shortened Mercedes Championships, defeating Tom
Lehman on first playoff hole. ... Member of 1997 Ryder
Cup Team, named PGA of America and Golf Writers
Association of America Player of the Year for 1997,
Associated Press chose his Masters win top sports story
of 1997, and followed by his designation as AP’s Male
Athlete of the Year (first golfer to be so honored in 26
years). ... In 1999, his TOUR-record $6,616,585 was
nearly $3 million more than his nearest competitor,
David Duval. Was named PGA TOUR Player of the Year, PGA
of America and GWAA Player of the Year for second time.
... Made the cut in all 21 tournaments, extending his
TOUR-best streak to 39 consecutive over last two
seasons. ... Earned his eighth career TOUR title and
first since 1998 BellSouth Classic with two-stroke
victory in Buick Invitational. Trailed by nine strokes
through 36 holes, but with Torrey Pines South
Course-record 62, took one-stroke lead heading into
final round and closed with 65 for share of tournament
record (266). ... In May, earned third international
victory at European Tour’s Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in
Germany. ... A week later, earned ninth TOUR victory at
Memorial Tournament, defeating Vijay Singh by two
strokes. ... Regained No. 1 position from Duval in
Official World Golf Ranking following third victory of
season and 10th of career at Motorola Western Open. ...
Beecame youngest player since Seve Ballesteros to win
two majors with his victory at PGA Championship. ...
Became first player since Nick Price in 1994 to win five
TOUR events in season with his win at World Golf
Championships -- NEC Invitational. ... Won his next
start at National Car Rental Golf Classic at Walt Disney
World Resort to become first player since Tom Watson in
1980 to win six official TOUR titles in season. ... The
next week won his third consecutive start at THE TOUR
Championship, becoming the first player since Duval in
1997 to accomplish that feat. ... Following week won the
World Golf Championships -- American Express
Championship and became first player since Johnny Miller
in 1974 to win eight times in year and first since Ben
Hogan in 1953 to win four consecutive starts. ... His 16
top-10s were the most in a single season since Payne
Stewart had 16 in 1986. ... In 1998, earned second
international victory at Johnnie Walker Classic in
Thailand, defeating Ernie Els on second playoff hole,
overcoming eight-stroke deficit to force playoff with
Els. ... Earned seventh TOUR victory with one-stroke win
over Jay Don Blake at BellSouth Classic. ... Won the
1998, 1999 and 2000 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. ... Along
with Mark O'Meara, won the 1999 World Cup of Golf for
the U.S. and was medalist by nine strokes. ... Won 1999,
2000 Andersen Consulting Medal for best combined
performance in three WGC events. ... Won 1991, 1992 and
1993 U.S. Junior Amateur Championships when no one
before or since has won more than one. ... In 1994, at
TPC at Sawgrass, became youngest winner of U.S. Amateur
at age 18. The following year, became first to
successfully defend U.S. Amateur title since Jay Sigel
in 1993. In 1996, became first player to win three
consecutive U.S. Amateur titles. Owns U.S. Amateur
records for consecutive match-play victories (18) and
winning percentage (.909). His six consecutive years of
winning a USGA championship are second only to Bobby
Jones’ eight. ... Made cut in four of six major
championships as amateur and was low amateur at 1995
Masters and 1996 British Open. ... Named year’s top
amateur player by Golf Digest and Golfweek in 1992 and
Golf World in 1992 and 1993. Golf World’s "Man of
the Year" in 1994. ... Won 1996 NCAA Championship
and was named Collegiate Player of the Year. ... Joined
Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson as the only players to
win NCAA and U.S. Amateur in same year.
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