On June 16, 2008, Tiger Woods defeated Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole playoff for the U.S. Open title. That was almost seven years ago. Seven long years of ups and downs in both his professional and personal life.
In light of Tiger’s announcement that he’s taking time off from golf, here’s a timeline of terrible, horrible, no good, very bad things that have happened to him since 2008:
June 20, 2008
Four days after winning the U.S. Open, Tiger reveals that he’s played 10 months with a torn ligament in his knee (and a double stress fracture). He takes the rest of the year off for reconstructive surgery.
2009
Tiger Woods finishes the season without winning a major for the first time since 2004.
November 25, 2009
The National Enquirer reports that Tiger Woods cheated on his wife with a woman named Rachel Uchitel.
November 27, 2009
Tiger is involved in a one-car accident outside his Isleworth, Fla. home. Reports indicate that he’s in “serious condition,” as his Cadillac Escalade is found alongside a fire hydrant. It’s later alleged that Tiger’s wife, Elin Nordegren, chased him out of the house with a golf club.
December 11, 2009
Tiger Woods takes an indefinite leave from golf as he tries to repair his marriage and personal life. Multiple women come forward claiming to have had a relationship with him, including porn star Joslyn James.
December 14, 2009
Accenture drops Tiger as a sponsor.
Jan 20, 2010
A picture of Tiger Woods at a sex rehab facility in Mississippi hits the web.
February 19, 2010
Tiger Woods speaks publicly for the first time, apologizing to his wife and friends for his infidelity, among other things.
February 26, 2010
Gatorade drops Tiger Woods as a sponsor.
April 12, 2010
Tiger Woods returns to The Masters only to watch his rival, Phil Mickelson, take home the green jacket.
May 11, 2010
Tiger drops Hank Haney as a coach.
August 23, 2010
Tiger’s divorce with Elin Nordegren is finalized.
October 2010
For the first time since 2005, Tiger Woods is no longer the No. 1 player in the world. He is replaced by Lee Westwood.
May 2011
Tiger withdraws from The Players Championship after tearing his MCL and straining his Achilles.
July 2011
Tiger Woods fires longtime caddy, Steve Williams.
August 2011
After briefly sharing a lead in the first round, Woods misses the cut at the PGA Championship by six shots.
November 2011
Steve Williams makes insensitive racial remarks about Tiger at an awards dinner. He later apologizes.
March 2012
Tiger withdraws from a World Golf Event after hurting his Achilles.
April 2013
Viewers call CBS after Tiger reportedly takes a questionable drop at the Masters. He’s assessed a two-stroke penalty as a result.
June 2013
Tiger finishes the U.S. Open at +13 in his worst professional performance.
April 2014
Tiger Woods undergoes back surgery and misses the Masters for the first time in his career.
June 2014
Woods makes his return to golf, only to miss the cut at the Quicken Loans National.
August 2014
After four years, Tiger parts ways with swing coach Sean Foley. The pair fail to win a major together.
Jan 30, 2015
Tiger misses the cut at the Phoenix Open by 12 shots
February 6, 2015
Tiger lasts just 11 holes at the Farmers Insurance Open before withdrawing. He claims that he couldn’t “activate his glutes” following a delay.
February 11, 2015
Citing his recent poor play, Tiger takes an indefinite leave from golf to “work on his game.” His status for the Masters is unclear.
