“An Iconic Figure”: James Patterson Pens New Biography of Golfing Great Tiger Woods
James Patterson’s new biography of Tiger Woods, “Tiger, Tiger: His Life, As It’s Never Been Told Before,” offers a unique perspective on the legendary golfer. While it’s not the first book about Woods, it stands out for its rich collection of personal stories about the 15-time major champion, who was raised in Cypress, California, and now resides in Jupiter Island, Florida.
Released on Monday, the book provides an in-depth look at Woods’ life, from his early days as a golf prodigy to his current status. “He’s an important figure,” Patterson, a best-selling author and longtime Palm Beach resident, remarked. “The Beatles were important, and I wrote about the Kennedys. This book is different—it’s filled with stories, not just dates and factoids, making it highly readable.”
Although Patterson did not interview Woods directly, he consulted dozens of individuals who knew, worked with, or played golf with him. The 448-page book captures Woods’ journey through anecdotes, including one about a young Woods predicting he would surpass Jack Nicklaus by age 20. It also highlights his relationship with his teenage daughter, Sam, who seldom appears in the media. For example, when Woods was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Sam playfully remarked that she had already inducted him into the “Dad Hall of Fame.”
Patterson, an avid golfer with nine holes-in-one, was motivated to write this biography due to his love for golf and Woods’ significant impact on the sport. “Tiger is an iconic figure,” Patterson said. “He has elevated the game of golf and reached beyond the traditional country club audience.”
Patterson will not be touring to promote “Tiger, Tiger,” but he plans to promote his upcoming book, “Hard to Kill,” co-authored with sports journalist Mike Lupica, set to release on July 29. This book is the second in the Jane Smith Thriller Series, with the first, “12 Months to Live,” already in development as a television series starring Renée Zellweger and executive produced by David E. Kelley.
