On August 1st in sports history, one significant event that took place was the debut of Tiger Woods as a professional golfer in 1996. At the age of 20, Woods announced that he was turning pro with the iconic words, "Hello, world."
Woods had already made a name for himself as an amateur golfer, winning three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles from 1994 to 1996. His first tournament as a professional was the Greater Milwaukee Open, where he tied for 60th place. However, it didn't take long for him to make his mark on the professional circuit.
Just two months later, on October 6, 1996, Woods claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Las Vegas Invitational, winning by a commanding margin of eight strokes. This win was a sign of things to come, as Woods would go on to dominate the sport for more than a decade.
Throughout his career, Woods has broken numerous records and achieved countless milestones. He has won 15 major championships, second only to Jack Nicklaus' record of 18. He held the world No. 1 ranking for a record total of 683 weeks and was named PGA Player of the Year a record 11 times.
Woods' impact on the game of golf extends far beyond his on-course achievements. He has inspired a new generation of golfers and helped to bring the sport to a wider audience. His success has also had a significant impact on the business of golf, with his endorsement deals and tournament winnings totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
While Woods has faced his share of challenges and controversies over the years, his legacy as one of the greatest golfers of all time is secure. And it all started on August 1, 1996, when he took the first step on his historic journey by turning pro and saying, "Hello, world."
