Tiger, Tiger: His Life, As It’s Never Been Told Before

Tiger, Tiger is not the first, nor will it most likely be the last, attempt to write the definitive biography of Tiger Woods, arguably the greatest golfer in the history of the game. Depending on how one counts these things, James Patterson’s biography of Tiger Woods is the fourth entry in this growing library.

As one would expect from James Patterson, Tiger, Tiger is a comprehensive exposition of Woods’ life written in the smooth and easy style exhibited in Patterson’s massive output of fiction and nonfiction. He has written biographies, autobiographies, mysteries, crime stories, adult and children’s literature, and is regarded by some as America’s greatest living storyteller.

Patterson follows the Tiger Woods story from Tiger’s first appearance on a local news program in Los Angeles in September of 1978 at age two. Within a few weeks Tiger was featured on national television putting on a golf demonstration in the company of Jimmy Stewart, Bob Hope, and the host of the show, Mike Douglas. Even at this young age, it was clear that Tiger had a special talent.

Tiger, Tiger is divided into six parts and has both a Prologue and Epilogue. The six parts offer a chronological journey through Woods’ life: Prodigy, Amateur, Professional, Superstar, Family Man, and Comeback. The important role played by his parents, especially his father Earl Woods, is a theme running through the book. Earl prepared his son for the realities of race in America and helped develop his golf skills. From his mother Tida, Tiger absorbed the meditation practices in Buddhism that honed his concentration and focus.  

By age six, Tiger was playing in junior tournaments, and, in his teens, Woods was being recruited by college golf coaches. At age 14, he was the subject of a feature story in Sports Illustrated. Patterson moves through these years describing important tournaments and Tiger’s growing reputation.

In Professional and Superstar, Patterson details Tiger’s spectacular development as both a golfer and a celebrity. As a golfer, Woods set records, won all the important tournaments, and transformed the game of golf. Patterson lays all of this out in chapter after chapter, success after success. In 1996, Woods was chosen by Sports Illustrated as their “Sportsman of the Year.”

Patterson exams the special relationship that Tiger Woods had with Charlie Sifford, whom Woods referred to as his Grandpa Charlie. Sifford’s significance is fully explored by Patterson, and it points to the element of race and its complexity for Woods.

There are various points in his career when Woods seemed to reach beyond the limits of mere mortals, and Patterson lays these out with considerable skill. One such run came at the 2000 U.S. Open when Woods finished 15 strokes ahead of the field while breaking ten scoring records. Then a few weeks later, he won The Open Championship at St. Andrews, completing his career Grand Slam. Patterson captures these moments with writing skill akin to Tiger Woods’ prowess on the golf course.

The role of Earl Woods in Tiger’s life is a major theme that Patterson returns to time and again, examining the relationship that continued after Earl’s illness and death. Earl’s military background no doubt played a significant part in Tiger’s growing obsession with physical fitness including Tiger’s training with the Navy Seals. This obsession seemed, at times, to have a negative effect on Tiger’s golf and his physical well-being.

In the last third of the book, Patterson turns to Tiger Woods as husband and father. His marriage to Elin Nordegren and the birth of his two children, Sam and Charlie, receive extensive treatment. All of them brought joy and happiness to Tiger; however, his infidelity was extensive, and the marriage ended in scandal and sadness. According to Patterson, the children continue to bring great happiness and purpose to Tiger’s life.

The other extraordinary aspect of Woods’ career was his physical deterioration requiring multiple surgeries. His ability to endure pain became part of the legend of Tiger Woods. In Part 6, The Comeback, Patterson once again does justice to the super-human qualities of Woods and his golfing abilities as Woods roars again through tournaments after a six-year absence.

Some of the best writing comes in these chapters as Patterson details the decision by Tiger to have a spinal fusion in April of 2017. By September of 2018, Woods is back on the tour and wins the championship at East Lake. The following spring, amid the azaleas and the dogwoods, Tiger Woods returned to Augusta and the Masters to complete yet another miracle.  

Although Patterson’s writing style is a major asset, there are times when less exposition and more analysis might be in order. That said, this is an accessible biography that will please its readers. Others may ask for more. For those who do, Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian’s Tiger Woods is worth a look. Finally, golf purists and British readers will object to Patterson’s use of the term “British Open,” noting that this tournament is “The Open Championship.”