Tiger’s Quest Continues

If you are like me, you are quite interested in the US Open this weekend. And if you are like me, you are particularly intrigued by the 7:06 am Thursday tee time and the 12:36 pm Friday tee time of the one and only Tiger Woods.

Odds are, he will not win this weekend. After all, he has played in 14 of these US Opens, and only won 3 of them (and 2 2nd places). Heck, the one time in his 47 major tournaments where he actually missed the cut was the 2006 US Open.

But with all of these realities, we know that Tiger delivers. He has delivered 14 majors overall (30% win rate in majors), and is now within striking distance of a guy who most thought would be safe forever: Jack.

Jack Nicklaus, of course, has 18 majors. Comparing the two is really an amazing trip to greatness. I think it is too easy to suggest that either is a clear cut winner of the “Greatest of All-Time” title at this point. But, I also admit that Tiger has a chance to claim that title in the years to come.

Jack entered 163 majors and won 18 (11%). He also had 19 second place finishes. But, he entered majors until he was 65 years old – a truth that clearly cut down his win percentage. If you just consider the years between his first major (1962 US Open) and his last major (1986 Masters), then you arrive at exactly 100 majors which is a far more impressive win rate (18%). And, if you add in his 19 2nd places, and 9 3rd places then you see that Nicklaus was on the medal stand on a very regular basis (46%).

Tiger is 33 right now, and has 14 majors, 5 2nd’s, and 3 3rd’s out of professional major 47 starts (47%). Jack through 33 years of life countered with 12 majors, 10 2nd’s, and 4 3rd’s out of 48 starts (54%).

Now, certainly it is difficult to compare the eras in terms of level of competition. Not many would argue that the field is deeper now, but perhaps it could be argued that it is thinner at the very top.

Regardless, last week when I put together a chart to show Roger Federer’s dominance , I was asked to do the same for Tiger Woods since 1997. Since I enjoy a sharp looking chart (or at least what I am capable of), your wish is my command:

MAJOR WINNERS SINCE TIGER WOODS TURNED PRO:

Table Tutorial

That was so much fun, let’s make another chart. This time, here are Tiger’s results in those majors – it is quite fair to say this is one of the greatest decades in golf history:

Table Tutorial

Will he ever catch Jack? Odds are pretty good he will. Nicklaus won 6 majors after his 35th birthday. Tiger trails by only 4 overall. But, then which will be considered the greatest of all-time? I suspect it will be a lot like Red Auerbach vs. Phil Jackson. If you said “Nobody will ever be greater than Red” then, you no doubt believe he is still the greatest despite Phil passing him.

Same here. Chances are if you are 50 years old or older, then Jack is the greatest regardless of how many Tiger wins. And chances are if you are under 40, then you feel Tiger is already the greatest.

Either way, much like in tennis, you are watching something that is pretty special right now in the game of golf. But, unlike tennis, in golf, greatness can last 20 years. We might be slightly over half way in the prime of Tiger Woods.