Quote:
Originally Posted by KC_Connection
He's going to end up with the most PGA Tour wins by a wide margin. Only time will tell whether he'll beat Jack's majors record, but that's obviously within reach as well. I think you can easily make the argument that he is.
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You can, but the raw numbers argument is a simplistic one that ignores the history of golf and the generational ebb and flow. The truth is that a vast majority of the PGA Tour does not really care if they win tournaments or not. The explosion of junior golf in America and prize money on tour created an entire generation of golfers who are happy with top fives and cashing massive paychecks.
The players years back had to win to eat and that created a much better brand of player. It also created a much more competitive environment.
Tiger is a great player and I can accept the argument that he's the GOAT, but I don't agree with it because he's playing against a lot of guys who don't treat it as a life-and-death situation.
Jack Nicklaus won 18 majors against primary competition like Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Ray Floyd, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Billy Casper, Johnny Miller, Seve Ballesteros, and several others.
The best player of Tiger's generation who isn't him is Mickelson, and his resume pales compared to everyone on that list, save Casper, Miller, and Seve,