Which South Vietnamese colonel inspired Tiger Woods' nickname?

South Vietnamese colonel Vuong Dang Phong inspired Tiger Woods’ nickname.

Woods was born Eldrick Tont Woods, but his father, Earl Woods, called him “Tiger” in honor of Vuong Dang Phong, a South Vietnamese military officer known by that nickname. Earl met Phong during his service in Vietnam and regarded him as a close friend.

The nickname was not originally created as a marketing identity for the golfer. It came from his father’s wartime connection and was used during Woods’ childhood, long before he became a global sports star. “Tiger” eventually became so dominant that many people know the golfer by that name more readily than by Eldrick.

A common mix-up is to confuse the nickname’s origin with Woods’ athletic image or aggressive playing style. Those traits helped reinforce the name later, but the historical explanation points to Earl Woods’ Vietnamese friend. Woods’ official name remains Eldrick Tont Woods.