Tiger Woods‘ 2000 PGA Tour season is often regarded as the pinnacle of golf excellence, with nine victories, three major championships, and nearly double the prize money of the runner-up, Phil Mickelson.
Woods set the all-time scoring average record of 67.79, a mark of sheer dominance. His victories included a 15-shot win at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, an eight-shot triumph at the Open Championship at St. Andrews, and a thrilling playoff victory at the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Such a season seemed untouchable, but Scottie Scheffler’s 2024 campaign is drawing surprising comparisons.
Scheffler recently became the first PGA Tour golfer since Woods in 2009 to secure six wins in a single year. Analyzing the numbers through their first 15 starts, the comparison is striking: both have six wins, but Woods edges Scheffler with three major wins to his two, 12 top-five finishes to Scheffler’s 10, and a scoring average of 68.7 compared to Scheffler’s 67.8.
Critics might argue that Woods faced stronger competition, as Scheffler’s contemporaries like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith no longer compete on the PGA Tour. Some of Scheffler’s wins came in smaller-field events, possibly affecting the level of challenge.
However, today’s golfers are generally longer and better, with signature events demanding the best players’ participation, a scenario Woods did not face. While Woods’ 2000 season set a high bar, Scheffler’s achievements are in a context of evolving field dynamics and stronger overall player performance.
Despite his impressive run, Scheffler is unlikely to match Woods’ feat of three major wins in a single year. He could potentially win a second major at the Open at Royal Troon, but three is out of reach. However, Scheffler’s triumph at the Players Championship, which Woods didn’t win in 2000, adds to his accolades.
In the strokes gained category, Woods’ 3.92 vastly outperforms Scheffler’s 2.77, reflecting the dominant margins by which Woods won, even in majors. Moreover, golf was not an Olympic sport during Woods’ era, giving Scheffler a unique opportunity to add a gold medal to his resume.
Scheffler’s season is shaping up to be one of the most historic in modern PGA Tour history. He has already broken Woods’ record for the most Official World Golf Ranking points earned in the first six months of a year. Yet, Scheffler remains grounded, focusing on staying present rather than setting long-term goals.
If Scheffler continues his winning streak, playing the Open, Olympics, and FedEx Cup playoff events, he could surpass Woods’ 11 victories in 2000, potentially leading in scoring average, money earned, and top-five finishes.
While Woods’ 2000 season remains iconic and electrifying, Scheffler’s 2024 campaign could stand as a remarkable rival, something once thought impossible.
