Scottie Scheffler made history this year when he won The Players Championship. The win marked the 100th official PGA TOUR victory for The University of Texas Men’s Golf program, accomplished by 17 different individuals in the 98-year history of the TOUR.
That’s impressive on its own, but it wasn’t what made the news. With this victory, Scheffler finds himself in the company of Tiger Woods, at least when it comes to a very specific string of victories. It brought on further comparison by both the media and the golf experts.
The Record
Scottie Scheffler has managed to win The Masters and The Players Championship – the men’s game’s unofficial ‘fifth major’ – in the same year. Until this win, there was only one other person who managed to do so, and that was Tiger Woods, who won in 2001.
For a while now, Bitcoin gambling sites such as the ones found here have been treating Scheffler as the favourite at any tournament he plays in. However, with this achievement, he’s measured by a different and even rarer metric as a contender for the spot of the best player ever.
The Long Run
However, the comparison to Tiger Woods needs to be made in the context of the longevity of their careers. Tiger Woods has been around for decades and has managed to stay on top for almost as long, with an especially amazing run in the 90s.
On the other hand, Scottie Scheffler is just starting his career. He’s already proved to be an impressive player and one that will play a huge part in the history of golf, but many experts feel that it’s too early to make that comparison just yet.
The Stats
Tiger Woods has a career spanning decades, and at this point, he has 82 PGA Tour victories, including 15 major championships. He spent a record 683 weeks as world number one. Tiger Woods was especially impressive during the late 90s and early 2000s when he achieved a “Tiger Slam“ – winning four consecutive majors from 2000-2001.
Scottie Scheffler, in contrast, is still early in his career, even though he has already shown great ability and is at the number-one spot at the moment. Scottie Scheffler has won 10 PGA Tour titles as of 2024. Some claim that this is his golden era starting in 2022.
In 2024, Scheffler is on track to set a record with a birdie average of 5.38 per round, surpassing Tiger’s 4.92 average from 2000.
Scheffler in context
Scottie Scheffler is 27 years old, making him the fifth-youngest player to win two Masters titles. However, he’s also two years and 199 days older than Woods, when he achieved the same milestone. Scheffler is only the fifth player to win two Masters titles before the age of 30. He would have to win two more in a row to catch up with Tiger Woods.
There are only two players that hold the distinction of leading after 54 holes of The Masters and going on to win while No 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking on two occasions – Woods and Scheffler.
Woods took three attempts to claim the green jacket for the first time. Scheffler, on the other hand, is at two out of five at Augusta National. In this regard, there’s one player that matches Scheffler – Horton Smith.
A difference in style
There’s also a noticeable difference in style between the two players, which somewhat reflects how the game has changed over the years. Woods is known for long drives, excellent shot-making, and an aggressive approach to courses. He also changed the athletics of the game – with his excellent shape allowing him to generate more clubhead speed and hit farther than most of his competitors.
Scottie Scheffler is a modern player who is getting his start when golf has already changed in style and approach to strategy. His game is built on precision rather than raw power. He leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee-to-green, meaning his driving, iron play, and overall approach game are incredibly solid. Scheffler’s style is about minimizing mistakes and capitalizing on opportunities. Such a methodical approach to strategy is a novelty compared to the 90s and early 00s.
To sum up
In conclusion, comparing Scottie Scheffler to Tiger Woods is both exciting and complex. While Scheffler has already made history with his impressive wins, including two Masters titles, he is still at the start of his career. Tiger Woods, on the other hand, is a golf legend with decades of success, holding numerous records.
Though Scheffler’s precise, methodical play contrasts with Woods’ power and aggression, only time will tell if he can match Woods’ long-term dominance. For now, Scheffler is a rising star, and the comparison highlights his potential to be one of the greats.
