Fred Couples has always been vocal about Tiger Woods being the finest golfer to ever play the game.
In a career that has had its fair share of ups and downs, including severe injuries and difficulties away from golf, Woods remains a hugely significant figure on the PGA Tour, albeit competing less frequently. The five-time Masters winner is set to launch his own indoor league come 2025, ensuring he continues to influence the sport he once ruled.
He still intends to participate in selected professional tournaments as he dials down his competitive presence. Woods finished T60 during this year’s Masters before failing to make the cut in the PGA Championship, US Open and Open Championship.
Nevertheless, he will forever be one of the game’s greats, something recognised by Couples – himself a winner of the Masters in 1992 – who previously labelled Woods as the greatest of all time. The high esteem Couples holds for Woods was evident during Tiger’s World Golf Hall of Fame induction in 2022.
On social media platform X, Couples said: “I’m so excited to tune in and see Tiger Woods inducted into the Hall of Fame by his daughter Sam tomorrow – just another accolade for the best I’ve ever seen.”
Woods’ impressive tally of 15 major titles puts him just behind Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18. For many, including Couples, Tiger’s influence and skill overshadow even those achievements of ‘The Golden Bear, reports the Express.
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Nonetheless, when it comes to their illustrious records at major championships, Nicklaus statistics are overwhelming compared to Woods’. Beyond his 18 wins, Nicklaus secured a remarkable 55 top-10 finishes and was runner-up on 19 occasions.
In the ’70s, Nicklaus reigned supreme. With 40 majors under his belt. He impressively ranked in the top-10 on 35 occasions. Woods lags with 26 additional top-10 spots and seven second-place finishes to boot. But where the 48-year-old really dazzles is with his whopping 82 PGA Tour victories, equalling the highest ever recorded and edging past Nicklaus by nine.
It’s not just about quantity either; Woods’ quality also shines through. Competing 378 times with a win rate of 21.7%, he triumphs over Nicklaus’ record of 12.5% from an extensive 584 appearances. Such a debate rages on, armed with stats and style juxtapositions.
However, Rory McIlroy, today’s golf marvel and winner of four major championships, echoes what many believe. “He has been the greatest that I’ve ever seen,” lauded McIlroy, describing his awe for Woods in 2017 when the latter bowed out of the tour due to back issues.
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“I didn’t see Jack Nicklaus play. I know he has a better record, but I don’t know if he played better golf. I don’t think there’s been a single figure who’s done more in terms of bringing different groups into the game – different ethnicities and different age groups. He made golf cool when it really needed an injection of something.”
McIlroy, set to join forces with Woods in the TGL indoor league, had previously spoken about the immense respect he has for Woods, who was his idol growing up.
“I always say this, and it sounds cliche, but I don’t take it for granted that I can wake up every day and try to live out my childhood dream,” McIlroy said. “One of my childhood dreams was to meet Tiger Woods, but not only that but to compete against him and to, you know, befriend him and become close to him. I still have to remind myself of that a lot.”
