When he started out, Tiger Woods was on his way to boasting one of the most accomplished careers golf had ever seen.
When he turned professional in August 1996, Woods was named PGA Rookie of the Year. He also became the youngest to achieve a career grand slam.
But among all of the high points in his career, Woods’ storybook career has been on the decline since 2009, and Monday’s arrest on a DUI charge is another chapter in his downfall.
What happened to Tiger Woods? Where did his career start to go wrong? Those questions and the answers that follow have been one of the most intriguing storylines in sports over the last decade. Here’s a timeline of Tiger Woods’ downfall:
November 2009
The controversy begins with claims of an extramarital affair between Woods and Rachel Uchitel, an NYC nightclub manager. Woods is then involved in an accident in Orlando, Fla. after running his Escalade into a fire hydrant outside his house. His wife at the time, Elin Nordegren, pulls Woods out of the vehicle.
Woods is ticketed for careless driving and takes responsibility for the accident. Additional claims surface claiming Woods’ involvement in multiple affairs with cocktail waitresses, porn stars and club promoters, among others. Woods releases a statement admitting to the sex scandal and infidelity and apologizes. Woods also says he is taking an “indefinite break” from professional golf. Nordegren moves out of their home.
December 2009-January 2010
Woods checks into a sex addiction clinic in Hattiesburg, Miss. Woods loses endorsement deals from Accenture, AT&T, Gatorade and General Motors. Gillette also suspends advertisements featuring Woods.
February 2010
Golf Digest suspends Woods’ monthly column “Tiger Tips.” Woods issues a televised apology for his actions and behaviors stating he’s been in a 45-day rehab therapy program.
April 2010
Woods withdraws from the Players Championship due to injury. Hank Haney, Woods’ coach since 2003, resigns.
August 2010
Woods and Nordegren announce divorce. Sean Foley becomes Woods’ new coach.
April 2011
During the Masters, Woods suffers sprains of his MCL and left Achilles tendon.
May 2011
Woods withdraws from the Player’s Championship.
July 2011
Woods fires longtime caddy, Steve Williams.
November 2011
Woods’ ranking falls to a new low, No. 58.
December 2011
After 107 weeks without a win, Woods places first at the Chevron World Challenge, his own tournament.
March 2012
Back and knee injuries force Woods to pull out of the WGC Cadillac Championship and Arnold Palmer Invite.
March 2013
After winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Woods regains No. 1 ranking and hold position until May 2014. Woods and US alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn begin dating.
May 2013
Woods wins the Player’s Championship for the seventh time.
April 2014
For the first time since turning pro, Woods misses the Masters after undergoing his first microdiscectomy. The back surgery also caused him to miss the US Open.
August 2014
Woods and Foley agree to part ways and Woods misses the cut at the PGA Championship. He also takes his name out of the Ryder Cup.
March 2015
For the first time since 1996, Woods drops outside of the world’s top 100 ranked golfers at No. 104.
May 2015
Woods and Vonn split.
September 2015
Woods undergoes his second microdiscectomy and announces his plans to return to competitive golf early next season.
October 2015
In his third surgery, Woods has a follow-up procedure on his back.
*2015 is the first time Woods missed all four majors in one year.
April 2016-June 2016
After withdrawing from the Masters, Woods announces he won’t play in the US Open or Quicken Loans National because he isn’t ready for tournament competition. He also misses the British Open and PGA Championship.
May 2016
For the first time in his career, Woods drops out of the world rankings top 500.
December 2016
After being sidelined for 15 months with injuries, Woods returns to competitive golf.
March 2017
On the 20-year anniversary of his first major win by a record 12-strokes at Augusta, Woods misses the Masters and his fifth straight major.
April 2017
Woods has his fourth surgery since spring 2014 to relieve lingering pain in his back and leg.
“The surgery went well, and I’m optimistic this will relieve my back spasms and pain,” Woods said in a statement. “When healed, I look forward to getting back to a normal life, playing with my kids, competing in professional golf and living without the pain I have been battling so long. “I would like to thank all the fans for staying in touch and their kind wishes. The support I have received has never waned, and it really helps.”
May 2017
Woods is arrested on a DUI charge in Jupiter, Fla. in the early morning of May 29. According to the report, Woods was found asleep at the wheel and failed multiple sobriety tests, but alcohol was not involved. Woods claimed it was a reaction from prescription medications from his most recent back surgery.
Whether or not Woods’ golf career is over, how much more can he take? For a golfer who hasn’t performed at the top of his game in years, by looking at his mug shot, the destruction of the last decade caught up with him. Whatever is left of Woods is beginning to overshadow his achievements.
For one of the most decorated and accomplished golfers the game has ever seen, the story of Tiger Woods might not have a happy ending.
