Majors Nicklaus v Woods, can the record be beaten
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
It’s been the biggest question in golf for the past 2 decades… ‘Will Tiger Woods beat Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 professional major championship victories?’ Make that 20 majors, if you include the US Amateur, of which Tiger has three to Jack’s two, meaning that he is only 3 pro wins – or 2 overall – behind.
Majors Nicklaus v Woods
Nicklaus’ 18 victories spanned 24 years; Tiger had only 11 years between his first and his 14th win, but his last major win at Augusta in 2019 came in the twilight of his career, 22 years since the runaway 12 shot triumph in his first major as a professional at the 1997 Masters. Nicklaus’ first professional major win came in his second major.
Both had played in the professional majors before turning pro; Tiger seven times and Jack nine times. So Tiger’s first pro major came in his 8th attempt; for Jack it was his 11th.
Their professional major wins:
| Jack Nicklaus | Tiger Woods | |||||
| No. | Year | Event | Venue | Year | Event | Venue |
| 18 | 1986 | Masters (6) | Augusta | |||
| 17 | 1980 | PGA (5) | Oak Hill | |||
| 16 | 1980 | US Open (4) | Baltusrol | |||
| 15 | 1978 | Open (3) | St Andrews | 2019 | Masters (5) | Augusta |
| 14 | 1975 | PGA (4) | Firestone | 2008 | US Open (3) | Torrey Pines |
| 13 | 1975 | Masters (5) | Augusta | 2007 | PGA (4) | Southern Hills |
| 12 | 1973 | PGA (3) | Canterbury | 2006 | PGA (3) | Medinah |
| 11 | 1972 | US Open (3) | Pebble Beach | 2006 | Open (3) | Hoylake |
| 10 | 1972 | Masters (4) | Augusta | 2005 | Open (2) | St Andrews |
Majors Nicklaus v Woods
| 9 | 1971 | PGA (2) | PGA National | 2005 | Masters (4) | Augusta |
| 8 | 1970 | Open (2) | St Andrews | 2002 | US Open (2) | Bethpage Black |
| 7 | 1967 | US Open (2) | Baltusrol | 2002 | Masters (3) | Augusta |
| 6 | 1966 | Open (1) | Muirfield | 2001 | Masters (2) | Augusta |
| 5 | 1966 | Masters (3) | Augusta | 2000 | PGA (2) | Valhalla |
| 4 | 1965 | Masters (2) | Augusta | 2000 | Open (1) | St Andrews |
| 3 | 1963 | PGA (1) | Dallas Athletic | 2000 | US Open (1) | Pebble Beach |
| 2 | 1963 | Masters (1) | Augusta | 1999 | PGA (1) | Medinah |
| 1 | 1962 | US Open (1) | Oakmont | 1997 | Masters (1) | Augusta |
Majors Nicklaus v. Woods
Both men also won US Amateur Championships:
| Jack Nicklaus | Tiger Woods | |||||
| No. | Year | Event | Venue | Year | Event | Venue |
| 3 | 1996 | US Amateur | Pumpkin Ridge | |||
| 2 | 1961 | US Amateur | Pebble Beach | 1995 | US Amateur | Newport |
| 1 | 1959 | US Amateur | Broadmoor | 1994 | US Amateur | TPC Sawgrass |
