The debate as to who the best golfer of all-time between Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods has been going on for years. The answer depends on what you deem most important. Tiger has more wins overall and was more dominant during his prime than any player in the history of the game. Nicklaus won the most against the toughest fields and had 37 top-ten finishes in major championships. But the answer is clear that Tiger Woods is the greatest of all-time.
The golf stats
Tiger has been excellent during a period of extreme scrutiny, much more than Nicklaus ever had to encounter. His dominance during through the 2000s is even more impressive with the whole world watching. After all, Tiger took the game to the next level and today’s players can thank Tiger for their enormous paychecks. Granted as time goes by, earnings will rise like in any occupation, be the increase has been exponential since Tiger. Prior, wins would pay out in the amount upwards of $200,000, now win one year and retire with the $1 million top prize.
On the course, Tiger has won 82 times, which ties Sam Snead for the most all-time. That total is nine ahead of Nicklaus in much fewer events. Although Nicklaus played against better top-level competition in Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Billy Casper, and others, the fields weren’t nearly as deep. Now, there are probably 20 players that have legitimate chances to win each and every week.
Winning percentages
Breaking it down further, Tiger has won about 22 percent of his starts compared to 11.5 percent for Nicklaus. If you take out Jack’s post-50 tournaments his winning percentage is 16 percent. Tiger would still have to play 10-to-15 events per year until about the age of 60 with no wins to still stay ahead of Jack in winning percentage. Tiger also had the higher highs. Three different times, Tiger had winning streaks of five in a row. Don’t forget his 12-stroke win in the Masters and 15 strokes in the U.S. Open. As amazing of a player Nicklaus was, he never dominated to that level.
Tiger Woods in his prime
Comparing the prime of their careers, Woods won 27 tournaments from 1999-2002 and 25 more between 2005 and 2008. During two similar stretches, Nicklaus won 17 from 1964-1967 and 22 times from 1970-1973. In addition, Tiger ousts Jack when it comes to consecutive cuts made, at 142 compared to Jack’s best streak of 105.
Here’s more to add to the argument that Tiger is the best of all time. He held all four major titles at the same time between 2001 and 2002. His first win at August made him the youngest champion ever, setting a tournament record for lowest score. In his win at St. Andrews in 2000, not only did he win by eight, Tiger avoided a bunker all week, which in itself is remarkable. His completion of the grand slam by the age of 24 made Tiger the youngest to achieve that feat. During an 11-year stretch from 1997 to 2008, Woods won 14 major titles and 65 overall PGA Tour wins.
Golf’s Ryder Cup
In Ryder Cup play, Nicklaus has a considerably better overall record of 16-8-3 compared to Tiger’s 13-2-3. However, when it comes head-to-head in singles matches, Tiger is 4-2-2 compared to Jack’s 4-4-2 mark. Woods won the Player of the Year award 11 times and 10 times was the PGA Tour’s leading money winner. He’s second all-time in Masters’ victories with five and has won each of the four major tournaments at least three times.
Tiger Woods Comebacks
While Woods was nearly unbeatable in the 2000s and untouchable when playing his “A game”, it’s easy to dismiss the fact that he won five times in 2013 and was the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year. Following came the back surgeries, putting Woods’ return in question. Then in 2019, Woods turned back the clock, much like Jack did in 1986. Ironically, both came at Augusta National, albeit 33 years apart. Woods won the Masters in dramatic fashion, leaving a stream of emotions on the 18th green for Tiger’s 15th major victory. It was the first of his 15 majors that Tiger had to come from behind to win.
Striking the golf ball
When comparing Tiger to Jack in terms of how they hit the clubs in the bag, the edge goes to Jack in driving and long iron play. Both could bomb the ball past opponents in their prime, but Jack was more consistently accurate and there is no denying the Nicklaus is the greatest long irons player of all time. Where Tiger makes up ground and surpasses Jack in overall ability with the clubs is with mid-irons, short game and putting. Both could be counted on to drain a putt on 18 when the chips were down, but Tiger had fewer down periods in overall putting statistics than Nicklaus.
For those that argue that major titles are all that matters when determining who is the greatest of all-time, consider that although Jack is ahead by three, he played in 164 majors, nearly double that of Tiger. Jack finished second an amazing 19 times in major championships compared to Tiger’s seven. One could argue that means the Tiger won at a much higher rate when in the mix on Sunday compared to Jack, even if Jack was in contention more frequently. It’s like getting to the Super Bowl an extraordinary number of times but winning less than half compared to getting there a little less frequently, but winning 70 percent of the time.
Golf Equipment
Those that favor Nicklaus as the greatest of all time may point to the vast differences in equipment used. After all, Nicklaus had to drive with small persimmon heads with a sweet spot the size of a dime with balls that would make today’s range balls seem long. Woods has all the best equipment available with light weight graphite shafts, large and forgiving titanium heads, and balls designed for maximum distance. Nicklaus supporters point to how much greater he was than the rest to be able to succeed with such relatively primitive equipment. Woods’ supporters indicate that with increased technology, more players have the chance to win. In the final analysis, Tiger has been a once in a lifetime athlete that lives up to the enormous hype. In addition, the lows that he overcame in her personal life and injuries to get back into the winner’s circle, was extraordinary. Add to that his period of dominance like no other and how he’s taken the PGA to a level never imagined, and he is the greatest of all time.
