Jack vs. Tiger: Who's the Greatest Golfer?

[iacas]

i don't care about fields. I care about the top 3/4 players contending me a Trophy. Can they deliver on Sunday ? That's my weak sauce for today. See ya

That's kind of the point.

To make it an extreme, if there are only 3 or 4 capable of winning the major, it's much easier than if there are 100 capable of winning that major.

As mentioned, go back 100 pages or so and read from there. Arguments have been presented ad nauseum. Or go here (where they're still ad nauseum):

[JRoy]

Yes. Are you going to say when the next golfer after tiger wins 10 majors he is the best? And after that 6 majors he is the best? And after that 2 majors he is the best. I'll give you their is more comp, but better will always be debated. I saw both and will pick Jack not only as a person but as a player also. Tiger was better short term but long term I still pick Jack. Loved watching him go up that leader board on the weekend in the majors. Tiger was a blast to watch also and I hope he gets his game back and changes my mind. He's only in his late 30's there is still time.

[jbishop15]

Yes. Are you going to say when the next golfer after tiger wins 10 majors he is the best? And after that 6 majors he is the best? And after that 2 majors he is the best. I'll give you their is more comp, but better will always be debated. I saw both and will pick Jack not only as a person but as a player also. Tiger was better short term but long term I still pick Jack. Loved watching him go up that leader board on the weekend in the majors. Tiger was a blast to watch also and I hope he gets his game back and changes my mind. He's only in his late 30's there is still time.

If Rory wins ten majors with a field that is 40% better then in Tiger's heyday, then yes. And this isn't about best person; you can't use that as a barometer of sports success.

[iacas]

Yes. Are you going to say when the next golfer after tiger wins 10 majors he is the best? And after that 6 majors he is the best? And after that 2 majors he is the best. I'll give you their is more comp, but better will always be debated. I saw both and will pick Jack not only as a person but as a player also. Tiger was better short term but long term I still pick Jack. Loved watching him go up that leader board on the weekend in the majors. Tiger was a blast to watch also and I hope he gets his game back and changes my mind. He's only in his late 30's there is still time.

I've previously stated in this thread (and others) that the number probably lies around 12 or so, yes. It's illogical to assume strength of field is linear.

I won't get into the reasons why in detail, but I think it's far more likely that strength of the field approaches a limit. I did this quickly just to illustrate my point, there's no scale, etc.:

[k-troop]

Remember we're talking about 20-17. How many U.S. or British Am titles does Rory have?

[The Recreational Golfer]

Is this even an issue anymore?

[Lakitu]

I've previously stated in this thread (and others) that the number probably lies around 12 or so, yes. It's illogical to assume strength of field is linear.

I won't get into the reasons why in detail, but I think it's far more likely that strength of the field approaches a limit. I did this quickly just to illustrate my point, there's no scale, etc.:

Thanks for graph.

Overall, I think the point can not be overstated in this discussion. If Tiger were to retire today, he's GOAT in my opinion - strength of field difference is ridiculous and must be accounted for.

[Mulligan Jeff]

The strength of field in WGC events is certainly one of the strongest. Tiger has won more than any other. Given his major wins + WGC wins he gets my vote for GOAT.

[VASP]

No question about it.  Jack by a mile - both as a golfer and as a man.  Jack is twice the man Tiger is. Just look at the whole picture - the figures and the man himself.  Apart from being the greatest golfer he has conducted himself and his life in a way that has only brought honour to the game - can't say the same about Tiger.  And Jack achieved his wins and Stats. through an era that didn't have the ball and club technology that gave Tiger a tremendous advantage.

[jbishop15]

No question about it.  Jack by a mile - both as a golfer and as a man.  Jack is twice the man Tiger is. Just look at the whole picture - the figures and the man himself.  Apart from being the greatest golfer he has conducted himself and his life in a way that has only brought honour to the game - can't say the same about Tiger.  And Jack achieved his wins and Stats. through an era that didn't have the ball and club technology that gave Tiger a tremendous advantage.

I'm not trying to be rude here, but have you read any of the posts in this thread? A lot of the points you brought up have been discussed with a lot of depth.

[Aflighter]

I'm not trying to be rude here, but have you read any of the posts in this thread? A lot of the points you brought up have been discussed with a lot of depth.

Well maybe he is just giving his thoughts on who is better and why.Just because it has already been said doesnt mean he cant be allowed to express way he feels too.I agree with exactly what he said but I didnt bring it up because everyone should know all that unless they are in Tiger denial.

[jbishop15]

Well maybe he is just giving his thoughts on who is better and why.Just because it has already been said doesnt mean he cant be allowed to express way he feels too.I agree with exactly what he said but I didnt bring it up because everyone should know all that unless they are in Tiger denial.

I understand that they are giving their thoughts, but you post in a thread like this that is about the debate between Jack and Tiger, I think it's a good idea to read some of the posts. Your categorization of people being in "Tiger denial" is pretty rude, as well, as it assumes that everyone in this thread is too stupid/too biased to look at things clearly. That's a pretty big assumption, and I tend to think that when people made broad generalizations about a group of people they are typically wrong.

[iacas]

No question about it.  Jack by a mile - both as a golfer and as a man.  Jack is twice the man Tiger is. Just look at the whole picture - the figures and the man himself.  Apart from being the greatest golfer he has conducted himself and his life in a way that has only brought honour to the game - can't say the same about Tiger.  And Jack achieved his wins and Stats. through an era that didn't have the ball and club technology that gave Tiger a tremendous advantage.

Three points, in brief:

• Club technology makes it tougher to separate yourself as a great player. Ask Jack, as he's said it himself.
• This isn't about who they are as men, just as golfers.
• This thread has addressed a lot of things in nearly 5000 posts. Check some out.

[VASP]

Thanks for your support, Afighter.  That's just what I was doing - expressing my view and there's nothing wrong with that.  That's exactly what this thread is for, JBishop15.  As you say, I don't want to be rude but you do seem to have a lot of anger in you.  No need to get heated.  it's just people's opinions and their views are just as valid as yours.  We all know the Stats., by the way.

[jbishop15]

Thanks for your support, Afighter.  That's just what I was doing - expressing my view and there's nothing wrong with that.  That's exactly what this thread is for, JBishop15.  As you say, I don't want to be rude but you do seem to have a lot of anger in you.  No need to get heated.  it's just people's opinions and their views are just as valid as yours.  We all know the Stats., by the way.

If you think those posts were angry, you're going to have a tough time in some of these threads. Just a heads up.

[Abu3baid]

If you think those posts were angry, you're going to have a tough time in some of these threads. Just a heads up.

I think that's a bad generalization on the type of atmosphere we should be trying to foster in the threads TBH.. I hope that's not really the case, as it reflects badly on all of us.

[jbishop15]

I think that's a bad generalization on the type of atmosphere we should be trying to foster in the threads TBH.. I hope that's not really the case, as it reflects badly on all of us.

Which is why I said some of the threads. And I'm not generalizing the type of atmosphere, as many people on here are very nice. But these threads can get heated, and my words were mild.

[VASP]

Thanks for the heads up.  I'm too long in the tooth to get upset by that.  It just amuses me that some people take it and themselves so seriously, but I guess if it's that important to them, that's OK.  I say just enjoy the golf.  Smell the coffee.  Ultimately it's not that important who's the best golfer.  What is important is that they and others are great and we're lucky to have so many fantastic golfers to watch and enjoy in our time.