Back in the late 2000s, the question around Tiger Woods didn't feel like "if" he would break Jack Nicklaus's 18 majors. Rather, it felt like a matter of "when."
Following Woods' 2008 win over Rocco Mediate in the US Open, Woods was sitting at 14 career major wins, four off the pace of Nicklaus' record. After that, however, Woods would enter an 11-year drought that he broke in miraculous fashion at the 2019 Masters, his fifth green jacket.
After his improbable comeback from a 2021 car accident in last year's Masters sparked conversation about if Woods could break golf's most prestigious record anew. There was not, however, a 2019-esque miracle in play last year, as he finished 13-over, good for 43rd overall at Augusta.
Currently, Woods carries a light schedule, opting to play predominately at majors. He played at the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the Open Championship last year. This season, Woods has only competed at the Genesis Invitational.
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Can Woods, 47, catch Nicklaus, who was 46 at the age of his sixth Masters and 18th major? Here's a look at their major histories and where they both stand.
Jack Nicklaus major wins
Nicklaus finished with 18 majors in his prestigious career, a record that hasn't been broken and has hardly been challenged.
The Golden Bear's first major win the US Open in 1962, when Nicklaus was 22. He finished at 1-under and defeated the legendary Arnold Palmer in a playoff, an auspicious way to kick off a career of winning.
Here's a look at Nicklaus' full major history:
| Year | Age | Championship | Winning Score | Margin of Victory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 22 | U.S. Open | 1-under Par 284 | Playoff |
| 1963 | 23 | Masters Tournament | 2-under Par 288 | 1 stroke |
| 1963 | 23 | PGA Championship | 5-under Par 284 | 2 strokes |
| 1965 | 25 | Masters Tournament (2) | −17-under Par 288 | 9 strokes |
| 1966 | 26 | Masters Tournament (3) | Even Par 288 | Playoff |
| 1966 | 26 | The Open Championship | 2-under Par 284 | 1 stroke |
| 1967 | 27 | U.S. Open (2) | 5-under Par 280 | 4 strokes |
| 1970 | 30 | The Open Championship (2) | 5-under Par 288 | Playoff |
| 1971 | 31 | PGA Championship (2) | 7-under Par 288 | 2 strokes |
| 1972 | 32 | Masters Tournament (4) | 2-under Par 288 | 3 strokes |
| 1972 | 32 | U.S. Open (3) | 2-over Par 288 | 3 strokes |
| 1973 | 33 | PGA Championship (3) | 7-under Par 284 | 4 strokes |
| 1975 | 35 | Masters Tournament (5) | 12-under Par 288 | 1 stroke |
| 1975 | 35 | PGA Championship (4) | 4-under Par 280 | 2 strokes |
| 1978 | 38 | The Open Championship (3) | 7-under Par 288 | 2 strokes |
| 1980 | 40 | U.S. Open (4) | 8-under Par 280 | 2 strokes |
| 1980 | 40 | PGA Championship (5) | 6-under Par 280 | 7 strokes |
| 1986 | 46 | Masters Tournament (6) | 9-under Par 288 | 1 stroke |
Like Woods now, Nicklaus had a drought between his penultimate and final major win, albeit a shorter one than Woods'. However, what stands out is both his longevity and his consistency. Over an 18-year span, he was the player to beat in golf. That's the only way to achieve a record such as this one.
Nicklaus still holds the record for most Masters wins as well.
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Tiger Woods major wins
Woods went on a torrid pace to get to his 14 wins, absolutely scorching the golf world for effectively a decade.
He has five Masters wins, three of which came in the 2000s, and he won multiple majors in a year four times, including three wins in 2000. Nicklaus achieved that feat five times, and never won more than two majors in a calendar year.
| Year | Age | Championship | Winning score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 21 | Masters Tournament | 18-under Par 288 | 12 strokes |
| 1999 | 23 | PGA Championship | 11-under Par 288 | 1 stroke |
| 2000 | 24 | U.S. Open | 12-under Par 284 | 15 strokes |
| 2000 | 24 | The Open Championship | 19-under Par 288 | 8 strokes |
| 2000 | 24 | PGA Championship (2) | 18-under Par 288 | Playoff |
| 2001 | 25 | Masters Tournament (2) | 16-under Par 288 | 2 strokes |
| 2002 | 26 | Masters Tournament (3) | 12-under Par 288 | 3 strokes |
| 2002 | 26 | U.S. Open (2) | 3-under Par 280 | 3 strokes |
| 2005 | 29 | Masters Tournament (4) | 12-under Par 288 | Playoff |
| 2005 | 29 | The Open Championship (2) | 14-under Par 288 | 5 strokes |
| 2006 | 30 | The Open Championship (3) | 18-under Par 288 | 2 strokes |
| 2006 | 30 | PGA Championship (3) | 18-under Par 288 | 5 strokes |
| 2007 | 31 | PGA Championship (4) | 8-under Par 280 | 2 strokes |
| 2008 | 32 | U.S. Open (3) | 1-under Par 284 | Playoff |
| 2019 | 43 | Masters Tournament (5) | 13-under Par 288 | 1 stroke |
Woods did nearly all of his damage in his 20s, whereas Nicklaus carried it throughout his 30s. Ultimately, when talking about the majors record, that is the difference.
Will Tiger Woods catch Jack Nicklaus?
The short answer to this question is "no." The slightly longer answer is "barring a miracle, no."
Woods is playing on a different schedule than the other players in majors right now, and only playing in majors already puts him behind them. While still fiercely competitive, it's clear the road to recovery that had him playing at the 2022 Masters following his car crash has taken a lot out of him, and he's playing to try to keep himself sharp.
Nothing will ever take away Woods' run in his 20s and in the 2000s. It's the most dominant stretch of golf we have ever seen and likely will ever seen.
However, winning majors is taxing and exceptionally difficult. It's hard to imagine him doing it three more times when he's already 47 against an incredibly talented field. We should savor Woods at these majors as his career winds on. But his days of shooting double-digits under-par are very likely behind him at this point.