Step 1 : Introduction to the question "Which athlete’s real first name is Eldrick?"
Eldrick Tont Woods, better known as Tiger Woods, was born on December 30, 1975. Woods' first name, Eldrick, was coined by his mother because it began with "E" (for Earl) and ended with "K" (for Kultida). His middle name Tont is a traditional Thai name. When Woods was a child, his father began calling him "Tiger" in honor of a fellow soldier and friend who had the same moniker. His father, Earl, served as his teacher and mentor. Tiger Woods set an amazing pro golf career in motion in 1997, when he became the youngest man and the first African American to win the U.S. Masters.