The Image of Tiger Woods
Exploring Tiger Woods' career under racial and cultural lenses
Woods celebrates after winning the 2019 Masters tournament
Source: Kohjiro Kinno, 2019
Woods as an Icon
Tiger Woods, 2002
Source: © Jerry Coli/Dreamstime.com
Tiger Woods's impact on golf cannot be understated. After winning the 1997 Masters tournament, Woods shot up to national superstardom and became a symbol of promise for racial progress in America. His arrival on the PGA Tour generated expectations for and hope for increased diversity in professional golf, especially from non-white communities. A non-white man dominating a traditionally white, elitist sport was an incredibly powerful image for American politics and culture.
Controversies
Yet this promise of a change in America's racial politics did not happen. Tiger Woods would not be an outspoken voice against America's racial issues and disappointed many non-white people with his reluctance to make firm political stances.
Woods gives statement after cheating scandal, 2010.
Source: ABC News
Thesis
Through his assimilation into golf's white elitism and the problematic manipulation of his multiracial background, Tiger Woods upholds white prestige in American sports, culture, and politics to further his career and wealth and perpetuate an illusion of progress instead of becoming a voice for racial change in America.
Analysis Breakdown
History
Establishes golf's relationship to race and provides context to Tiger's rise
Racial Identity
Examines the criticism surrounding Woods' representation of his multiracial identity
Celebrity Status
Explores the impact of Woods' national stardom on American culture and scandal
Legacy
Evaluates Woods' contributions to conversations about race and golf in present day
Tiger Woods: Return to Glory
Creator: Wishum Gregory
Images and Media
Header Image
Kinno, Kohjiro. Sports Illustrated, 2019, https://www.si.com/golf-archives/2021/04/07/tiger-woods-2019-masters-celebration-cover. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022.
Background Images
Augusta National/Getty Images. "Tiger Woods Celebrates Victory During The 1997 Masters Tournament",1997, https://golf.com/gear/golf-accessories/vintage-tiger-pictures-you-can-buy/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022. Cannon, David/ALLSPORT. "US Open", 1997, https://golf.com/gear/golf-accessories/vintage-tiger-pictures-you-can-buy/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022.
Gregory, Wishum. "Tiger Woods: Return to Glory", 2019, https://www.blackartdepot.com/products/return-to-glory-tiger-woods-wishum-gregory. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022.
Media
ABC News. "Tiger Woods' Press Conference Apology", Youtube, uploaded by ABC News, 19 Feb. 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA7ty2LQwc0
Associated Press/Getty Images, "Dec. 4-11", 2009, https://www.golfchannel.com/media/tiger-woods-scandal-10-year-anniversary-car-crash?slide=5. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.
Cannon, David/Getty Images, "Tiger Woods in 1998, between his parents Kultida and Earl."1998, https://www.liveabout.com/tiger-woods-ethnicity-1566365. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.
Cannon, David/Getty Images. "US Open", 2019, https://golf.com/gear/golf-accessories/vintage-tiger-pictures-you-can-buy/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022.
Coli, Jerry. Dreamstime.com, "Tiger Woods, 2002.", 2002, https://golf.com/gear/golf-accessories/vintage-tiger-pictures-you-can-buy/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022.
EA SPORTS PGA TOUR, 2022, https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-return-of-the-king-game-was-made-using-tiger-woods. Accessed 8 Dec. 2022.
The PGA of America, PGA.com, "African-American Golf Pioneers", 2017, https://www.pga.com/archive/pga-america/pga-feature/pga-black-history-month. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.