On April 13, 1997, 21-year-old Eldrick “Tiger” Woods made history, winning the PGA Tour’s prestigious Masters Tournament by a record-setting 12 strokes in Augusta, Ga. It was  the first time a person of African or Asian heritage won a major championship, representing the most decisive performance in professional golf in over a century.

Born in California to Earl Woods, an African American father, and Kultida Woods, a Thai mother, the young golfer was a prodigy who began his career under the national spotlight. Before turning professional in 1996, Woods became the youngest player to win the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at age 15 and later captured three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles. By the end of his first partial year on the PGA Tour, he had already secured a title and was named Rookie of the Year.

The  Masters is held annually  at Augusta National Golf Club, which did not admit its first Black member until 1991. Despite an opening-round struggle where he shot a 40 on the first nine holes, Woods finished the tournament with an 18-under-par 270. This performance broke the previous record of 271 held by Jack Nicklaus. 

Woods eventually became the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam at age 24 and eventually earned his fourth green jacket before the age of 30.

Though injuries and personal challenges later impacted his later career, Woods returned to win the Masters again in 2019. However, the 1997 tournament remains a hallmark of Black History Month reflections, serving as the moment Woods officially broke the color barrier at the highest level of the sport.