The Caddie Network survey: Tiger Woods edition
By Robert Hanlon · May 13, 2019
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Coming out of Tiger Woods’ recent win at the Masters — his 15th major championship overall and first since the 2008 U.S. Open — The Caddie Network commissioned a Tiger-specific survey amongst 56 professional Tour caddies.
Here are the results…
Prior to the 2019 Masters, did you honestly think Tiger Woods would ever win another major?
- Yes 46.4%
- No 53.6%
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being “absolutely stunned” how surprised were you to see Tiger win the Masters?
- Average of responses 5.85 out of 10
Describe what you were feeling as you saw Tiger Woods win the 2019 Masters…
“Tears of joy and excitement to see an icon rise to the top once again!”
“Elation, renewed expectations for the prosperity of the PGA Tour.”
“I was just feeling the satisfaction for him that he was able to prove so many doubters wrong.”
“Happy for him and his children to experience what it used to be like. We were used to Tiger winning. His kids got to see it, and that should mean the world to him.”
“He was taking a page right out of Jack’s book. Staying patient while the others made crucial mistakes that all but handed him the green jacket.”
“Witnessing history.”
“This is actually happening. It seems different than his previous major wins. He seems even calmer and his celebrations more spontaneous and less perfect. The boys weren’t challenging him as much coming down the stretch but damn if he didn’t go out and get it done!”
“Extremely proud of him and Joe.”
Do you consider Tiger’s victory at Augusta National the greatest comeback in the history of sports?
- Yes 55.4%
- No 35.7%
- It’s not even close to the greatest 8.9%
If it isn’t the greatest, tell us what is…
“I think it’s the greatest comeback in golf, but that all started at East Lake last year. Each sport has its own greatest comebacks. Look at Michael Jordan, Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, Mario Lemieux, and lest we not forget the legend Ben Hogan? Tiger’s career is a resurrection, but the other athletes faced diseases, heartbreak and physical injuries that could have sent them into retirement, much like Tiger Woods faced.”
“Michael Jordan coming back to win NBA Championships after retiring to play baseball.”
“Ben Hogan coming back after a near-fatal car accident.”
“Patriots Super Bowl win over the Falcons.”
“If he wins any of the other majors THAT would be the greatest comeback ever. The Masters field is too small and there are about 15 guys with zero chance of winning. He beat about 60 guys. Other majors he would have to beat over 125.”
Once Tiger’s career is over, what will his Masters win total be?
- 5 wins 28.6%
- 6 wins 53.6%
- 7 wins 17.9%
Will he match Jack Nicklaus with 18 major wins?
- Yes 53.6%
- No 46.4%
Will he surpass Jack’s 18 major wins?
- Yes 37.5%
- No 62.5%
Which is the bigger obstacle for Tiger when it comes to chasing Jack’s major record?
- His health 51.8%
- His competition 42.9%
- His age 5.4%
If Tiger surpasses Jack’s major total, I would be…
- Not the least bit surprised. How could you ever doubt him now? 64.3%
- Absolutely shocked, because there’s just no way. 35.7%
The next two major venues – Bethpage Black (PGA) and Pebble Beach (U.S. Open) – are at places where Tiger has previously won a major. Do you think he’ll win either of those?
Tiger spotting at Bethpage. 🐅 #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/LwyBnw3VsQ
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 8, 2019
- Yes 50%
- No 50%
Which of those two venues does he have a better chance to win?
- Pebble Beach 78.6%
- Bethpage Black 21.4%
Do you think Tiger will be world No. 1 at season’s end?
- No 76.8%
- Yes 23.2%
How many more majors do you think Tiger will win?
- 0 major wins 3.6%
- 1 major win 19.6%
- 2 major wins 30.4%
- 3+ major wins 46.4%
Julius Boros is the oldest major winner in history. He was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA Championship. Will Tiger win a major at 48+?
Oldest golfers to win a major
• Julius Boros – 48 years
• Tom Morris, Sr. – 46 years, 3 months
• Jack Nicklaus – 46 years, 2 months pic.twitter.com/WGus58eGJm— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 2, 2017
- Yes 35.7%
- No 64.3%
Tiger’s victory in the Masters was the 81st of his PGA Tour career – one shy of Sam Snead’s record 82. Will Tiger surpass Snead in career wins?
- Absolutely, yes 100%
- No 0%
How many career wins will Tiger end up with?
- 82-85 wins 26.8%
- 86-90 wins 62.5%
- 90+ wins 10.7%
Do you think a 40-something Tiger Woods can be as dominant or at least close to as dominant as he was in the early 2000s?
- He could be dominant, but it won’t be as regularly as he was then. 46.4%
- No way. There’s too much talent out there now. 53.6%
The hardest major for Tiger to win this year will be….
- PGA Championship at Bethpage Black 50%
- British Open at Royal Portrush 46.4%
- U.S. Open at Pebble Beach 3.6%
The greatest golfer of all time is…
- Tiger Woods 71.4%
- Jack Nicklaus 26.8%
- Ben Hogan 1.8%
Yeah for Tiger! He’s the greatest golfer ever, now & forever. There will never be another Tiger! Amen.
Tiger is a great golfer. No one in the field will ever beat him. His age and health will be his downfall. Also i don’t think someone like Tiger should get involved in politics. He goes down in greatness by being involved with the president. It is definitely sad to watch.
Jack is the greatest. Winning majors means a lot, but let’s also look at Jack’s 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th place finishes in majors. Personally I think the reason so many say Tiger is the GOAT is because he’s present. We haven’t actually seen Jack in contention in over 20 years. It makes it easier to identify one of the other when you get to witness it. By the way in 1998, the year after Tiger destroyed everybody at The Masters, Jack finished T-6th two strokes ahead of Tiger. Even at 55 he still got the cat by the tail. I will say this…Tiger has made for a good argument and he’s definitely the greatest since Jack.
Wow
Tiger Woods over the years has learned to embrace”thankfulness” A lesson we all can benefit from. The gifts, talents and skills given
to us by God never at once should be taken for granted. Yes he is “one of the greatest players in golf”
Tigers the Greatest Golf Ever
Objectively, Jack Nicklaus is the greatest ever. But, what is my subjective opinion? Any of the following can argue they are the greatest of all time based on stats and other factors: Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Robert Tyre Jones, Jr., Walter Hagen, Harry Vardon, Gary Player, Young and Old Tom Morris. The thing is, depending on the stat category, ANY of the above has a strong claim. Today, majors are the important stat, so, Jack Nicklaus is awarded GOAT status. But, for me, the separator is legendary golf shots. The above golfers all had famous shots. Yet, Tiger Woods has too many godly, impossible shots made under pressure. He is the GOAT.
Ok, here goes. I just read today, 4/10/20, of yet another fantasy last round of the Master’s duel between Jack and Tiger. It was close, but Jack lost by a stroke according to the author, whose age seemed closer to Tiger’s age by his photo (coincidence? – probably not).
Give it up! Golf heroes are made of much more metal than such fantasies, and I think that Mr. Nicklaus will end up on top in the public opinion long after all of these silly fantasies are played out. That may eventually mean sharing the top stop with Tiger if Tiger can get to 18, or even beyond.
But go for it Tiger. Give it your best shot while Father time is still on your side. Your last putt on 18 to tie Jack at 18 would be the best drama since Shakespeare wrote his plays! I would tune in for that for sure, and even cheer your ball to fall in the hole. Well, maybe not. Ok, I just turned senior citizen for a discount at Denny’s! So, I’m partial too.
For my part, I’d still stand in the line for a Nicklaus autograph first, no matter how this all plays out.