Tiger Woods is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, but away from the golf course and championship trophies, his most important role has been that of a father. The golf legend shares two children with his former wife, Elin Nordegren, including his eldest child and only daughter, Sam Alexis Woods . Born into one of the most famous families in professional sports, Sam has attracted public interest since childhood. Yet she has largely maintained a private life and has chosen a path that differs significantly from that of her younger brother, Charlie, who has followed their father’s footsteps into competitive golf .
Sam Alexis Woods is the 19-year-old daughter of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren. Born June 18, 2007, she is currently attending Stanford University, her father’s alma mater, where she plans to study psychology and biology . Unlike her younger brother Charlie, Sam chose not to pursue competitive golf—instead excelling in soccer and leading her high school team to a state championship.
Born Into a Famous Family
Sam Alexis Woods was born on June 18, 2007, in Orlando, Florida . Her arrival came just one day after Father’s Day, creating an especially memorable moment for Woods and his family. Her father was playing in the U.S. Open at Oakmont when he received word of her birth and rushed from the airport to the hospital .
Her name carries a meaningful connection to Tiger’s own childhood. Woods has explained that his father, Earl Woods, used “Sam” as a nickname for him while he was growing up. “My father had always called me Sam since the day I was born,” Woods once said. “He rarely ever called me Tiger” . Giving that name to his daughter created a personal link between three generations of the Woods family .
Her Parents and Family
Sam is the daughter of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, a former model from Sweden. Woods and Nordegren married in 2004 and welcomed Sam three years later. Their son, Charlie Axel Woods, was born in 2009 .
Although their marriage ended in divorce in 2010, both have remained closely involved in their children’s lives . Sam grew up with two highly recognizable parents while maintaining a relatively understated public profile.
She also speaks fluent English and Swedish, reflecting her mother’s Scandinavian background, and her childhood involved spending time both in the U.S. and abroad .
A Different Relationship With Golf
Golf is central to the Woods family’s identity, but Sam has never shown the same competitive enthusiasm for the sport as her younger brother. Tiger has previously discussed how Sam viewed golf during her childhood. Because his professional career required him to spend long periods away from home, she associated the sport with her father being absent .
Woods once explained that golf had a somewhat negative association for Sam because, as he said on the Today show in May 2024: “When she was growing up, golf took Daddy away from her… I had to pack and I had to leave and I would be gone for weeks and there was a negative connotation to it” .
That perspective helps explain why she eventually chose a different athletic and academic direction.
A Talented Student-Athlete
While Sam did not pursue competitive golf, she developed considerable ability in other sports. During her high school years at The Benjamin School in Florida, she became a successful student-athlete, participating in soccer and track .
Her soccer achievements were particularly impressive. As a defender and team captain, Sam led her team to the FHSAA Class 2A state championship in March 2025, winning 2-1 . Tiger Woods was in the stands to cheer her on, a meaningful gesture given his own busy schedule .
Rather than simply being known as Tiger Woods’ daughter, Sam built an impressive athletic record of her own during her school years.
Supporting Her Father at His Biggest Moments
Despite choosing a different direction professionally, Sam has remained an important supporter of her father’s career.
One of her most memorable public appearances came in March 2022, when she introduced Tiger during his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame . The appearance gave fans a rare opportunity to see the father-daughter relationship in a major public setting.
Sam spoke emotionally about her father’s recovery from his serious February 2021 car accident, which left him with open fractures to both his tibia and fibula. She told the audience: “We didn’t know if you’d come home with two legs or not. Now, you’re not only about to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but you’re standing here on your own two feet. This is why you deserve this. You’re a fighter, you’ve defied the odds every time” .
Her Role at the PNC Championship
Sam has also supported her father through one of golf’s most family-oriented events, the PNC Championship. The annual tournament brings major golf stars together with family members, allowing professional players to compete alongside their children or parents.
Sam served as Tiger’s caddie during the event, first taking on the role in December 2023 and returning for the 2024 edition . Her involvement has given fans another glimpse into their close relationship without requiring Sam to become a professional golfer herself.
Her Brother Charlie
Sam’s younger brother, Charlie Axel Woods (born February 8, 2009), has taken a dramatically different approach to golf . Charlie began playing the sport at an early age and has competed in junior and amateur events, attracting considerable attention because of his famous father. He has partnered with Tiger at multiple PNC Championships.
Tiger has often supported Charlie’s development while trying to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on him . The contrast between the siblings is particularly interesting—Charlie has embraced the sport that made their father famous, while Sam has pursued academics and other athletics .
Choosing Stanford University
After graduating from high school in May 2025, Sam began the next chapter of her education at Stanford University . The university holds special significance for her family because Tiger Woods attended Stanford before becoming one of the most successful professional golfers in history.
Sam’s decision to attend the same university creates another connection between father and daughter. However, her academic path is distinct—she plans to study psychology and biology, a different direction from her father’s economics degree .
Her Stanford profile lists her simply as an undergraduate student, reflecting her desire to maintain a relatively private life .
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sam Alexis Woods?
Sam Alexis Woods is the 19-year-old daughter of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren. Born June 18, 2007, she is currently a student at Stanford University and was a state champion soccer player in high school .
Does Sam Alexis Woods play golf?
No. Unlike her younger brother Charlie, Sam did not pursue competitive golf. She associated the sport with her father’s absence during her childhood and chose to focus on soccer and academics instead .
Where is Sam Alexis Woods going to college?
Sam is attending Stanford University, her father’s alma mater. She plans to study psychology and biology .
What sport did Sam Alexis Woods play?
Sam played soccer and ran track in high school. She was a defender and team captain who led her team to a Florida state championship in March 2025 .
What did Sam Alexis Woods say at Tiger Woods’ Hall of Fame induction?
Sam delivered an emotional speech about her father’s recovery from his 2021 car accident, saying: “We didn’t know if you’d come home with two legs or not… You’re a fighter, you’ve defied the odds every time” .
Conclusion
Sam Alexis Woods’ story is ultimately different from the one many people might expect from Tiger Woods’ daughter. She grew up around professional golf but did not choose it as her competitive sport. Instead, she excelled in soccer and track, pursued her education, and eventually enrolled at her father’s alma mater, Stanford . At the same time, she has remained closely connected to Tiger through important family occasions and her appearances alongside him at golf events .
Now an adult and a Stanford student, Sam is building a future that is largely separate from the professional golf world. Her journey demonstrates that being the child of a sporting icon does not necessarily mean following the same career path. While Charlie has embraced competitive golf, Sam has charted her own course through academics and athletics .