He’s won the Vardon Trophy (lowest scoring average) a ridiculous nine times, twice averaging under 68, he’s been the Player of the Year 11 times and he’s even hit the longest drive in PGA Tour history – an effort of 498 yards at Kapalua in 2002.
But some records are so out there that we can say with some certainty will never be threatened.
1. 82 PGA Tour wins
You receive life membership of the Tour for 20 wins, Woods has over four times that amount. Over a winning span of 31 years Phil Mickelson has 45 wins. Woods has won 14 tournaments wire-to-wire and he’s won at Bay Hill and Bridgestone eight times apiece. He’s level with Sam Snead, who has some far lesser tournaments on his CV, and nine ahead of Jack Nicklaus. Snead is the oldest player to win a PGA Tour event, at 52, so if Woods could eclipse that, then that would easily make this list.
2. 142 straight cuts
Between 1998 and 2005 Woods played the weekend in 142 straight events. He would surpass Byron Nelson’s previous record of 113 at the Tour Championship in 2003. Woods had a 15-footer to keep the run going at, coincidentally, the Byron Nelson Championship in 2005 but, for once, his 15-footer on the last slid by.
“Every guy in the locker room was watching,” Jesper Parnevik said. “We’re not allowed to bet, but guys were offering $1,000 he would make it.”
“It was always going to come to an end eventually, wasn’t it? Obviously, it was a hell of a feat. That
record will never be broken,” added Robert Allenby.
In his next seven starts, Tiger won twice with a worst finish of 4th – he would actually miss the cut at the FUNAI Classic later in the year.
3. 41 European Tour wins
This is probably the most fun stat. Woods has never been a member of the European Tour but he is ranked third on the Tour for the most victories. Ten ahead of Colin Montgomerie, who has eight Order of Merits to his name, and one behind Bernhard Langer. Seve Ballesteros leads the way on 50 in another record that will also never be eclipsed.
There are of course the 15 Majors and 18 World Golf Championship wins in that tally but he also landed the Deutsche Bank three times as well as a pair of Johnnie Walkers and Dubai Desert Classics. His record in European Tour play-offs is a staggering 10-0.
4. 15-shot Major win
Woods’ 15-shot rout at Pebble Beach in 2000 will likely never be bettered. Nicklaus’ record Major win was by nine and Woods kicked off his Major career with some eye-popping triumphs. At Augusta he began the final round ahead by nine and won by 12, he won the 1999 PGA over Sergio Garcia by one and then he went on a ridiculous run of a 5th at Augusta before ticking off the next four to complete the Tiger Slam.
At the US Open, he was ahead by one after the first day, six clear at halfway and 10 in front going into the final round. Woods shot a closing 67 to get to 12-under, the next best was Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez as Old Tom Morris’ 13-shot victory in 1862 was finally broken.
Incredibly caddy Steve Williams forgot to pack the bag with balls and Woods was down to his last one on the 18th hole of the second round.
5. Complete Major dominance
On a similar theme, and this is a lesser-known stat, but Woods has won all four Majors by at least five shots. Aside from the 1997 rout his other four Green Jackets were relatively tight, then there was Pebble Beach three years later and the following month he won The Open by eight at St Andrews. At the 2006 PGA at Merion Woods would walk away with the Wanamaker Trophy by five to complete the five-shot set.
Three of his Major wins have come in play-offs with The Open the outlier in the quartet.
