How old is Tiger Woods? Golfer looking to surpass Jack Nicklaus as oldest Masters winner

Tiger Woods is returning to Augusta National Golf Club to compete in the 2024 Masters. This time, it's with an even deeper appreciation for the event that he loves.

Woods' health has taken him on a roller coaster ride in recent years. He made an improbable return to action at the 2022 iteration of the Masters after being sidelined by several leg injuries suffered in a car accident in February of 2021, but then was forced to withdraw early from the 2023 event due to an ankle injury.

Since the surgery in 2023, Woods has pushed through rehab and recovery, and is set to take part in his 26th Masters in 2024. 

Now, he will look to win it all this year and make history, as he can become the oldest golfer to ever win the Masters with a victory.

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How old is Tiger Woods?

Tiger Woods is 48 years old. His birthday is on Dec. 30, 1975. 

If Woods can win the 2024 Masters, he would become the oldest golfer to win the tournament, surpassing the previous record-holder, Jack Nicklaus. That would be fitting considering Woods would also tie Nicklaus for the most Masters wins (six) with a victory.

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How old was Jack Nicklaus when he won his last Masters?

Nicklaus was 46 years old when he won the last Masters of his career in 1986. He managed to hold off Greg Norman (-8), Tom Kite (-8) and Seve Ballesteros (-7) with a mark of 9-under par. That marked the 18th and final major win of Nicklaus' legendary career.

Nicklaus — who was born on Jan. 21, 1940 — was 46 years, two months and 23 days old when he won in 1986. As such, if Woods wins, he would be about a year and 19 days older than Nicklaus was when he won his last green jacket. 

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Oldest golfers to win a major

Only one golfer has ever won a major championship over the age of 50. That was Phil Mickelson, who accomplished the feat at the PGA Championship in 2021.

Nicklaus ranks as the fourth-oldest golfer to win a major. He trails only Mickelson, Julius Boros and Tom Morris Sr. in that category. If Woods manages to win the 2023 Masters, he would move to No. 3 all time on the list, ahead of Morris by exactly one year.

The PGA Championship has historically been the easiest of the four majors for older golfers to win. Four of the 10 oldest major winners earned their victories on at the PGA Championship.

Below is a list of the 10 oldest golfers to ever win a major.

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Oldest Masters winners in history

Nicklaus is the oldest winner of the Masters by quite a bit. Woods is in second place all-time after his 2019 win, and even then, Nicklaus had nearly three years on him.

Now, Woods will look to pass Nicklaus on the shortlist of golfers aged 40 or older to win a green jacket. Only seven golfers have won the Masters at age 40 and none have done it twice.