Age and experience have put Woods in a unique role to modernize golf without ruining it. This is important to him, too. He thought back to his roots in public golf, to that first PGA Tour tee shot at Riviera at age 16, to winning the Masters at 21 and reaching No. 1 in the world longer than anyone.

From his greatest triumphs to off-course setbacks, SI Golf counts down Tiger Woods's defining moments for his 50th birthday on Dec. 30.