Tiger Woods’ Dating History: Nine Blonde Beauties Who Looked Like Barbie and Only One Brunette

Tiger Woods, the golf superstar with 15 major championships, has been linked to numerous women throughout his career, with a clear preference for a specific type. The majority of his partners have been blonde, leading to observations about his dating patterns that sparked public discussion.

During a 2009 episode of NPR’s “Shop Talk: ‘Keep Your Tiger Woods In Your Pants’,” several journalists discussed Woods’ apparent dating preferences. Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson notably addressed the racial and physical aspects of Woods’ romantic choices.

He observed that Woods seemed drawn to women who shared a particular look – not just that they were white, but that they resembled the iconic Barbie doll in their appearance.

Robinson also suggested that Woods wasn’t seeking variety in his relationships but instead some form of personal validation through his choice of partners. Let’s discover who these women are, including his newest lady, who used to date Donald Trump Jr.

Dina Gravell

Woods’ first serious relationship began in high school when he met Dina Gravell in accounting class at Western High School in 1992. She once described their relationship as “fire and flames,” noting they were each other’s “first real boyfriend and girlfriend.”

The relationship faced challenges when Woods enrolled at Stanford University in 1994. Though they exchanged love letters and discussed marriage, the long distance proved difficult. Gravell later admitted that he showed signs of jealousy, often questioning her activities.

The end came abruptly when Woods sent her a letter breaking up with her. He cited his parents’ concerns that she was a “big distraction” to his golf career.

In the HBO documents about Woods’s life, Joe Grohman, a former family friend, recalled Earl being “incensed” and concerned about Dina getting pregnant.

Years, now married with children, Granell has expressed relief at not ending up in the position of Woods’ later partners. She emphasized, “A family is not happy because of money, a family is happy because of love and respect.”

LeAnn Rimes

Before LeAnn Rimes married Dean Sheremet in 2002, she had a brief relationship with Woods. According to sources quoted in Us Weekly, Woods and the singer “went out a few times” when she was still a teenager.

“They hooked up and everything,” an insider told the magazine. “Tiger was really into her. He likes those blondes!” The relationship didn’t last long, however. Rimes’s father reportedly intervened, feeling his daughter was too young to date Woods, who was seven years her senior.

Interestingly, they would later become known for infidelity in their marriages. Woods faced public scrutiny for his numerous affairs, while Rimes had a well-publicized relationship with Eddie Cibrian that began while filming the 2009 Lifetime movie “Northern Lights.” The country star would later divorce Sheremet.

Elin Nordegren

Woods’ relationship with Elin Nordegren didn’t begin as a fairy tale romance. According to the biography “Tiger: The Real Story,” he had to ask his future wife out five times before she accepted.

Nordegren initially had several reservations about dating the famous golfer. She had a boyfriend in Sweden and was concerned about the media attention that would come with dating a celebrity. The biography noted, “She really didn’t find Tiger attractive; he simply wasn’t her type.”

Woods’ persistence eventually paid off, and she agreed to one date. Their first outing was a simple dinner and movie. By the second date, Nordegren was surprised to find herself falling for him.

The couple married in 2004 after dating for nearly three years. Their early days were filled with lavish gifts and love notes. “I love the idea of growing old together,” Woods told People after three months of marriage. “I want to continue to get closer.”

They subsequently had two children, a daughter named Sam in 2007 and a son named Charlie in 2009. Unfortunately, their relationship crumbled that year when Woods’ infidelities became public.

In a 2010 interview, Nordegren said she was “blindsided” by his affairs and “so embarrassed that I never suspected—not a one.” She emphasized that “money can’t buy happiness” and that her priority was healing and providing normalcy for their children.

By 2014, she had rebuilt her life, completed a psychology degree, and established a positive co-parenting relationship with Woods. In a 2014 interview, she expressed being in a “good place.”

When Woods turned 40, he reflected on his marriage. “In hindsight, it’s not how I would change 2009 and how it all came about. It would be having a more open, honest relationship with my ex-wife,” he said. “Having the relationship that I have now with her is fantastic. She’s one of my best friends.”

Their improved relationship after divorce shows that sometimes endings can lead to healthier connections.

Rachel Uchitel

Rachel Uchitel became one of the most well-known figures in the Woods affair scandals. In 2021, she opened up about their relationship in the HBO Max documentary “Tiger.” Looking back on their affair, Uchitel told Us Weekly that she showed signs of what she now recognizes as a “love addiction.”

“I will say that that is a very real thing that I think people don’t have awareness about. It’s where people mistake intensity for love and people sort of look to someone else to gain credibility for not feeling credible inside,” she explained.

Uchitel admitted she liked the attention from Woods and that past difficult experiences contributed to her feelings of insecurity.

In the documentary, Uchitel recounted her initial meeting with Woods, where he immediately expressed interest in seeing her again, which she found overwhelming given his fame.

She also revealed that they engaged in sexual activity that night, and thinking it would be hard to date anyone else, since Woods was so famous and they’d been intimate.

Jamie Jungers

Jamie Jungers began dating Woods soon after he married Nordegren in October 2004. In 2021, she revealed all about her tell-all book titled “Captured By Grace” about their relationship.

Jungers claimed that Woods’ marriage was troubled from the start and that he struggled with sleeping pill addiction and high-stakes gambling. She also alleged that his life began to unravel after the death of his father, Earl.

“I was deeply in love with Tiger,” Jungers said in an interview. “We were so close and used to have intimate conversations about everything.”

According to Jungers, Woods frequently flew to Las Vegas where she lived, and every other week he would fly her to Los Angeles to visit him at his oceanfront home. “I was there when his father died and I remember how quiet and sad he was. He didn’t cry but it was clear he was in a lot of pain,” she recalled.

Even though their relationship ended, Jungers still worries about Woods. She explained that her feelings had shifted from love to a sense of care and concern, and she believed their paths would cross again.

Holly Sampson

Adult film star Holly Sampson made headlines in 2009 when a video surfaced of her bragging about her encounter with Woods. In the May 2009 online footage for the website Naughty America, Sampson said that he was “really good.”

After Woods’ infidelity scandal broke, Sampson released a statement confirming that she and Woods had been “intimate” and that her taped statements were “truthful” and “without malicious intent.” She also never received or requested money to keep quiet about their relationship.

However, the adult film star claimed that their encounters occurred before Woods’ 2004 marriage to Nordegren. In the video, she described Woods as “the whitest black boy you’ve ever met” with “perfect teeth” and called him “the perfect gentleman.”

Lindsey Vonn

Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn represents one of Woods’ most significant post-divorce relationships. The pair met at a charity event in April 2012, though their romance didn’t blossom until later that fall.

By 2013, their relationship had become serious enough that they were spending time with each other’s families. Vonn’s brother reportedly gave ski lessons to Woods’ children, Sam and Charlie. When Vonn injured her knee in February 2013, Woods sent his private jet to Austria to fly her home.

“Their friendship slowly turned into a relationship,” an insider told Us Weekly. The couple went public with their relationship and stayed together for nearly three years.

In May 2015, Vonn used Facebook to announce their separation, but made it clear that she would always value the memories they had made together.

She cited their hectic schedules as the reason for the split, but she said he and his family will always be important to her. Just a month before the breakup, Vonn had supported Woods at his Masters Preview Day, bringing along his children.

Their relationship, though it ended, showed Woods’ attempt to build a more stable public romance after his divorce and scandals.

Kristin Smith

Woods dated Kristin Smith from 2015 to 2017, but their relationship ended in a legal battle. According to TMZ Sports, Smith believed Woods had cheated on her, ending their relationship.

To avoid another public scandal, Woods reportedly offered Smith money to sign a non-disclosure agreement. However, by 2018, Smith was trying to invalidate the NDA, claiming it wasn’t enforceable.

According to TMZ, Woods allegedly threatened to make public compromising images of Smith if she broke their agreement. The situation escalated to the point where lawyers became involved.

Erica Herman

Erica Herman was Woods’ girlfriend from 2017 until October 2022. She managed his Palm Beach County restaurant before and during the early years of their relationship.

In 2023, Herman made headlines when she filed lawsuits against Woods and the trust that owned his Florida mansion. She claimed he had promised she could live in his $54 million mansion until 2026 but unexpectedly kicked her out.

Herman’s attorney initially suggested that Woods had sexually harassed his client, arguing that a nondisclosure agreement Herman signed in 2017 should be voided under a federal law that invalidates such contracts when sexual abuse or harassment occurred.

However, Herman later dropped both lawsuits, stating that she “was never a victim of sexual harassment or sexual abuse at the hands of Tiger Woods or any of his agents.”

In the end, this legal battle concluded without any public indication of a settlement, though private arrangements could have been made.

Vanessa Trump

In 2025, it was reported that Woods had been dating Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr, for several months. The pair have multiple connections. Both spend most of their time in Florida, and Trump’s daughter, Kai, is a top golfer who committed to play for the University of Miami.

Woods, Trump, and Kai were seen together at a Florida tournament on February 16. The news came during a difficult period for Woods.

The New Relationship

The first reports of their romance surfaced on March 13, 2025. According to the Daily Mail, the 49-year-old golfer and Trump have been quietly seeing each other since late last year.

Last month, witnesses spotted them together at a golf tournament, fueling speculation. A source told Daily Mail, “Tiger and Trump have been seeing each other since just before Thanksgiving. She comes to his place on Jupiter Island. They’re not living together. She comes over maybe a few nights a week.”

The source added that they enjoy each other’s company, often sharing dinners and conversation. For now, they are keeping things private and have chosen to stay out of the public eye.

Despite the attention surrounding their romance, Trump’s ex-husband isn’t bothered. A source close to the Trump family told People that Donald Jr. is “cool” with the pair dating. He and Trump were married for 12 years before divorcing in 2018.

Meanwhile, other Trump family members and the former couple’s five children reportedly know about Trump and Woods’ relationship.

The New York Post reported that Woods and Trump’s relationship began as a friendship. “But it’s not too serious, it’s heading in that direction, though,” a source mentioned. While they are taking things slowly, a source believes it could become “something really serious and permanent.”

“They have a lot in common. They’ve both gotten used to public scrutiny. They both know how to keep their private life private. They’re both parents,” the source added.

What Woods admires most about Trump is that she isn’t drawn to his popularity. “Fame doesn’t interest her; that’s what he likes best about her,” the source explained, adding that she would date him even if he weren’t famous.

Before reports of their romance resurfaced, Trump was seen in the background of a photo taken on February 16, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. The image showed Woods alongside Kai, during the final round of The Genesis Invitational, further fueling speculation about their growing connection.

Trump’s appearance at the event fueled dating rumors and sparked online discussions about her resemblance to Woods’ past partners. One commented, “Looks like his ex,” while other users pointed out that he clearly has a type, “You can tell he has a type. All of his girlfriends look alike.”

One observer noted Woods’ preference for blondes. Someone joked that she seemed older and not as blonde as his usual type.

While some focused on her appearance, others reacted to the relationship itself. Another person found the situation unexpected and mentioned it wasn’t on their bingo card. A skeptic predicted it wouldn’t last, comparing Woods’ dating history to going through water.

Not everyone was critical, though. A supporter expressed happiness for the couple and wished them well. Another echoed the same sentiment, “Good for them. Wish them much happiness.”

Woods’ reported romance with Trump surfaced after he revealed a recent health setback, adding to public interest in his personal life.

On March 11, 2025, Woods announced on X that he ruptured his left Achilles tendon while training, requiring surgery in Florida. Dr. Charlton Stucken performed a minimally invasive procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, assuring that the operation was successful and that Woods is expected to make a full recovery.

Woods reassured fans that he is “back home now” and focused on “recovery and rehab,” thanking them for their support. His injury drew strong reactions from analysts and former players on X.

Former professional golfer and current analyst Arron Oberholser reacted, “Unreal. How much more can an athlete endure. Just brutal.” Golf journalist Dan Rapaport added, “Ruptured achilles is a nightmare. I’m sad.”

Another ex-golfer, Nick Leach, shared his thoughts, “As much as I love Tiger and how he’s impacted the way I view golf. It’s time to call it a career.”

ESPN’s football analyst Booger McFarland commented, “It’s not our place to tell him what to do however I hope enough is enough Body has been thru a lot. Enjoy your kids. We will cherish all 82 of the wins and in a lot of eyes He is the greatest to ever touch a club [sic].”

Woods’ latest injury follows his microdecompression surgery in September 2024 to relieve nerve impingement in his lower back. The procedure was performed by Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

At the time, Woods shared on X, “The surgery went smoothly, and I’m hopeful this will help alleviate the back spasms and pain I was experiencing throughout most of the 2024 season.” He was eager to start rehab and return to his normal activities, especially golf.

Despite his perseverance, Woods’ physical struggles were evident even before his two surgeries. In July 2024, he reflected on his performance in an interview with The Guardian.

“I loved it, I’ve always loved playing major championships. I just wish I was sharper physically,” he admitted. “Obviously it tests you mentally, physically and emotionally, and I just wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be. I was hoping to find it somehow, but I just never did.”

His struggles weren’t just physical — he was also coping with personal loss. Just a month before his left Achilles tendon injury, he withdrew from a tournament at Torrey Pines following the passing of his mother, Kultida Woods.

“I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready. I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my Mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss,” Woods said in a statement on February 10.

He thanked everyone for their support and kindness since his mother’s passing. Earlier, Woods announced on X that Kultida had passed away on February 4.

“My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable,” Woods wrote. “She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible.”

Kultida, who is of Thai origin, was a constant presence throughout her son’s legendary career. Before she died, she attended and supported Woods’ TMRW Golf League (TGL) debut.

Woods’ mom’s strength and warmth left a lasting impact on those who knew her, including fellow golfers. Golfing legend Fred Couples paid tribute to Kultida on X, remembering her as a vibrant presence.

Kutilda’s influence extended beyond the sidelines, shaping even the smallest details of Woods’ game — including a bold tradition that would come to define him: his red shirt on Sundays.

“My mom thought, that being born a Capricorn, that red was my power color,” Woods once said. “And so, in some of the junior golf events in So Cal, I would wear red. And I won.” Wanting to test her belief, he deliberately switched to blue for other tournaments — only to be proven wrong.

“I didn’t win,” Woods admitted. “And so I then switched to red, and I had a lot more success wearing red.” Realizing the pattern, he eventually made a deal with his mother — he would reserve red for the final round of big events instead of wearing it every day.

Kultida accepted the compromise. “She said, ‘Fine. Just wear it the last day,'” Woods shared. From then on, his mom’s belief became a lasting tradition, one he carried into the biggest moments of his career.

As Woods mourns this profound loss, he carries forward the lessons and strength his mother instilled in him — values that helped shape him into the champion the world knows today.

As Woods honored his mother’s memory, he also reflected the deep love she shared with her grandchildren, Sam and Charlie, and expressed gratitude for the support he received during this difficult time.