Will Tiger Surpass Jack's Major Total (2014 Edition)

[Mulligan Jeff]

www.golfchannel.com/news/joe-posnanski/does-age-really-matter-golf

I would love to see Tiger capture 5 more majors to beat Jack! Heck it would be a great story if Tiger got to 18 majors. But will he? This article says no.

[Gunther]

No chance at this point.

[skydog]

Tiger was the greatest putter we've ever seen....if he can learn to putt anywhere near like he used to, he can at least win another major or two. Five doesn't seem anywhere near probable or possible to me given the state of his swing and ball striking (disregarding the injury). The only scenario I could even remotely see it happening would  be if he went back to Butch Harmon, but I don't think Tiger would ever be humble enough to do that.

[Infamous 273]

The fact that he only has 3 rounds per major to score and pull ahead doesn't help - he honestly has no chance unless he learns how to get big from behind on a Sunday. The days of 4-6 shot advantages after 54 holes are long gone.

[DwightC]

No.  Modern fields are too strong.  And the very thing that was at the core of his dominance--the magnificent athleticism--is what's most vulnerable to aging.

[flopster]

He still is one of the best if not the best when healthy, obviously staying healthy is going to have a big say if he is to catch or even pass Jacks mark, I still believe he has plenty of great golf in him to do it as long as his body allows it. Anyways the next 6 years are going to pretty much be it  if he's going to pass Jack.

[Patch]

I'm not so sure. He is facing stiffer competition, and right now he's not part of that stiffer, competitive value. Now if he can get better with his putting, then maybe. Others in a major field would have to play less than their best golf to allow him on the road to victory. The old adage that even a blind squirrel can find a nut every so often might apply here.

He's going to be 39 this year. Who's to say what his competition might be like while he's  playing majors in his 40s. I suppose if I had to make a bet on him winning 4-5 of the next 42 majors, I'd put some money down, but not more than I would miss. a 10% chance is still ac chance. If he gets back to near 100% healthy, then I'd say he has a good chance.

I do think that he will win enough regular tournaments to move Sam Snead to 2nd place, and wind up with 90+/- total PGA wins before he is 50. Too many weak fields available if he wants to use them over the next few years.

His first priority right now  is to make the cut at the Open Championship.

[skydog]

I think people also take for granted that many of the games greats- Arnie, Watson, Seve, etc- never won a major past 35 and it's entirely possible Tiger falls into that group. The guys who have won majors into their 40s (Phil, Ernie, Snead, and Nicklaus) have had smoother, more rythmic swings than Tiger and those have tended to stand the test of time better.

[Mulligan Jeff]

What about Vijay did he won a major at 40?

[tristanhilton85]

I think Tiger still has a shot to get there, but the chances are getting slimmer.

What about Vijay did he won a major at 40?

He was 41.

[NJpatbee]

Tiger is still a good golfer but between injuries and layoffs he will not win another 5 majors.  He is the best I have seen in person but I believe his aggressive game has taken its toll.

[turtleback]

Let's all try to remember that he won 5 times in 2013 more than twice as many win as any of the 2013 major winners.  In fact, all four major winner combined only managed to win 1 more event in 2013 that Tiger did all by himself.  So maybe, just maybe, writing him off is a little premature.

[iacas]

I think people also take for granted that many of the games greats- Arnie, Watson, Seve, etc- never won a major past 35 and it's entirely possible Tiger falls into that group.

None of those guys won 14, either. In other words, Tiger's already shown that he's not really the same as the guys in that group.

And before you think I'm a Tiger fanboy or something, I was the first "no" vote in this poll.

[Dakota Atkinson]

Yes, because.. he's Tiger Woods. I am a bit of a Tiger fanboy I suppose, but we've all seen the guy do absolutely incredible things before. Just a year ago he was winning tournaments frequently. Once he's healthy and shakes the rust off, he'll be winning again. I really doubt he'll be as dominant as he used to be, but I think he's still the best player in the world when he's healthy. Undisputably top 5. I feel like once he breaks the wall and gets one, the subsequent majors would be quicker to follow. 15 may be the hardest one for him.

[phan52]

If he can get healthy and STAY healthy, he will certainly win more Majors. He's too good and too focused to not win more Majors.

Five? Now, that's tough. I think not.

[ChrisP]

It's a tough question because of his health and his inability to stay healthy for a long period of time. Seems like every time he shows you his old form a new injury pops up and he misses substantial time. And I've always said all bets are off when he's 40 because you don't know how your body will react at that age. I mean look at Jack....he won one major when he just turned 40 and after that he rarely contended, winning just the '86 Masters after that 80 USO. Not saying Tiger can't pick up a couple majors in his 40s, but it's going to be very, very difficult.

He'll likely go through one more major swing change in a couple years as well. And then a lot will also depend on if a dominant golfer is able to step up and make it even more difficult for him. Hopefully he's able to play like Phil in his 40s, who has already won 2 since turning the 40-burger and may not be done.

[phillyk]

I can't see Tiger ever considering himself too old or fragile to give up.  He has always been known for working very hard at his game.  Give it another year, if his health holds up , I think he can put himself in position to win another major.  Yes the field is getting better all the time, but given his experience and discipline he has always maintained, I think that gives him an edge when his game is up to par.

[Zeph]

He can do it, but I don't think he will, so no.