Jack's record for majors, safe or not? What do you think?
- Thread starter Rick Cleveland
- Start date
Years ago, Dan Jenkins wrote that only two things could stop Tiger's record quest: 1) a bad marriage, 2) a bad back. He's got both.
Nicklaus hadn't had 4 knee surgeries and a back surgery at this point in his career either. And he never went more than 3 years between majors until his last one when there was a 6 year gap. Tiger hasn't won a major in 6 years. I'd put Tiger's odds of winning another major at about 50-50.
First of all, Dan Jenkins is amazing. Second of all, he was right. Tiger is done. Jack's record is safe.
Phil has won a total of 4 majors. Tiger isn't matching that after age 38
Not to mention there is a lot more parity in golf than there was 15 years ago. In 2000 there might have been 10 golfers that had a legitimate chance of winning a major. There will probably be at least 40 golfers that will tee off at Augusta that wouldn't shock the betting public if they were to slip on the green jacket.
Not to mention there is a lot more parity in golf than there was 15 years ago. In 2000 there might have been 10 golfers that had a legitimate chance of winning a major. There will probably be at least 40 golfers that will tee off at Augusta that wouldn't shock the betting public if they were to slip on the green jacket.
Agree. He may get back to playing with no back pain, but he doesn't have the short game he once had. He used to make all 4-6 foot putts. No longer the case.
How this question is answered really comes down to whether or not the person answering is a fan of Tiger or not. It's always been easy to tell who is for and against his success.
So while I'll admit I'm a fan of his, and want him to win I'll try to give a semi unbiased opinion. I don't know the severity of his back surgery, but if he is able to make a full recovery I think at least tying Jack's record is a very good possibility. I believe he has at least 2 green jackets left in him. I base that off the fact that with that course he can be in serious contention every year easily up until he's 50.
As far as the marriage/incident playing a factor in his mind that people claim, I think that is complete BS. The guy is a machine and has one focus, and that's kicking *** on the golf course.
So while I'll admit I'm a fan of his, and want him to win I'll try to give a semi unbiased opinion. I don't know the severity of his back surgery, but if he is able to make a full recovery I think at least tying Jack's record is a very good possibility. I believe he has at least 2 green jackets left in him. I base that off the fact that with that course he can be in serious contention every year easily up until he's 50.
As far as the marriage/incident playing a factor in his mind that people claim, I think that is complete BS. The guy is a machine and has one focus, and that's kicking *** on the golf course.
Only 19 people in HISTORY have won 5 or more majors. So, he must have a HOF career with a broken down body, completely untested and unsure swing, and without the mystique that helped him win the first 14 of his career. He will be VERY lucky to win 2. He's done. People also forget that Nicklaus won his last 2 while playing an incredibly light schedule that just focused on his favorite courses AND he wasn't chasing anyone. His drive to win the major 'title' was over when he won his 12th to best Walter Hagen. He did that in 1975!
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This is why he still might reach it. When Tiger dominated, he was good at everything, but his short game was good enough to be a phil mickelson like golfer even if he hadn't had a lot of length. It seems like Tiger could dial back and/or change his swing and have a career in his 40's like Phil. I don't think he will actually get the record because I'm not sure how he can rebuild his swing in his late 30's and get comfortable with it to be a top 2 or 3 golfer for another decade when his body is too broken down to be a practice fanatic, but I do expect him to compete for majors again. The only thing I think will keep him from winning another major is if he just won't give his body a chance to heal. If he goes through another few seasons like this because he's unwilling to take an extended break, at that point I think he's in a position where taking an extended break and rebuilding his swing might not be feasible.
Anything is possible, but he hasn't won a Masters since 2005. And his last major was 2008. But if this surgery does away with his pain and he does all the things to prevent future injuries, he could win another major or two. Just can't see him passing Jack at this point.
Safe. I'm not a fan, but I respect his talents. I also think golf will be totally fine without him, but I watch tourneys whether he plays or not. I know he gets the previously uninterested fans.
I don't think he is as mentally tough as he used to be. I also don't think his swing is/will produce the results it has in the past. Golf is a hard *** game, changing your swing one iota is hard without cameras, much less on the professional level. The flatstick, and short irons used to save him and that is not even working anymore. It works in spurts now.
Should have never left butch harmon.
I don't think he is as mentally tough as he used to be. I also don't think his swing is/will produce the results it has in the past. Golf is a hard *** game, changing your swing one iota is hard without cameras, much less on the professional level. The flatstick, and short irons used to save him and that is not even working anymore. It works in spurts now.
Should have never left butch harmon.
I still think he'll at least tie him.
I don't think the injuries will be the issue. Just look at Hogan, after almost being killed in a car wreck doctors told him he might not walk again much less play golf. He was 37 at the time of the accident and won 6 majors following his wreck.
This is what Tiger has done during his so called "drought".
- Won 14 PGA Tour events, 3 of those were WGC Championships which is arguably some of the strongest fields in golf.
- He has 3 top 5 finishes in the Masters during this period
- Finished top 5 in other majors 6 times
- Finished top 10 in majors 9 times
Jack still says that Tiger will break it.
I don't think the injuries will be the issue. Just look at Hogan, after almost being killed in a car wreck doctors told him he might not walk again much less play golf. He was 37 at the time of the accident and won 6 majors following his wreck.
This is what Tiger has done during his so called "drought".
- Won 14 PGA Tour events, 3 of those were WGC Championships which is arguably some of the strongest fields in golf.
- He has 3 top 5 finishes in the Masters during this period
- Finished top 5 in other majors 6 times
- Finished top 10 in majors 9 times
Jack still says that Tiger will break it.
If you add in his runner-ups to the mix... no. That is what separates Jack from anyone in golf history.
Titles, maybe. Sooner or later we are gonna have another Tiger like player come along. Not to sure Tiger can ever get back to the level he was at before injuries and everything else.
Titles, maybe. Sooner or later we are gonna have another Tiger like player come along. Not to sure Tiger can ever get back to the level he was at before injuries and everything else.
Just for the record, according to Brad Faxon Tiger has already dropped Foley as his coach.
Apparently this surgery and switching swing coaches is part of his plan to get his swing back in order.
If so, good. I hope he goes back to a more draw based swing.
Apparently this surgery and switching swing coaches is part of his plan to get his swing back in order.
If so, good. I hope he goes back to a more draw based swing.
I agree.. Tiger will never win another major.
The competition on the current PGA tour is too tough now vs when Jack was playing.
Tiger also has too many injuries and way too much baggage in his life.
The competition on the current PGA tour is too tough now vs when Jack was playing.
Tiger also has too many injuries and way too much baggage in his life.
Agree, I've been a fan since day 1 but just don't see him getting 18
I hope I'm wrong. Keegan Bradley is probably my favorite but I root for Tiger to be at or near the top every weekend.
I hope I'm wrong. Keegan Bradley is probably my favorite but I root for Tiger to be at or near the top every weekend.