Tiger Woods to publish memoir globally with HarperCollins

HarperCollins has landed world rights to golf legend Tiger Woods' first ever memoir, entitled Back, promising the "definitive" story of his career, fall and comeback.

The deal was struck by executive editor Shannon Welch at HarperOne and Judith Curr, president and publisher at HarperOne Group. It will be published across all HarperCollins locations worldwide, with HarperNonFiction publishing director Jack Fogg handling publication in the UK.

The synopsis explains: “Back is a candid and intimate narrative of an outsize American life: from growing up a celebrated golfing prodigy to shattering centuries-old racial barriers as a young pro; from rising to unprecedented fame and global icon status to battling devastating injuries and personal issues; from enduring years of physical anguish to mounting an astonishing comeback at 43 years old, culminating with the 2019 Masters, where his thrillingly impossible victory captured the imagination and hearts of people around the world. This memoir is the first and only account directly from Woods, with the full cooperation of his friends, family, and inner circle.”

Woods said: “I’ve been in the spotlight for a long time, and because of that, there have been books and articles and TV shows about me, most filled with errors, speculative and wrong. This book is my definitive story. It’s in my words and expresses my thoughts. It describes how I feel and what’s happened in my life. I’ve been working at it steadily, and I’m looking forward to continuing the process and creating a book that people will want to read.”

Curr added: “We are thrilled and proud to work with Tiger on what I believe will be the publishing event of the decade. Tiger will reclaim his own story and legacy and it’s a story for the world over.”

Welch, who will edit the book, said: “Meeting with Tiger, speaking with him at length about the process of writing a memoir, I was delighted to discover how much he has to say, and how ready, how eager, he is to say it. He’s at a place in his career and his life where he’s thinking deeply about his story, the highs and the lows, and how it all relates and connects. I think the result will be extraordinary.”