With the closing of the 2024 season, Scottie Scheffler has ranked himself at the top of the OWGR leaderboard. But his excellent season has also earned him a comparison to the legendary golfer Tiger Woods, a 15-time major winner. But just like a coin has two sides, the fan’s perspectives are also parted into two groups. On one hand, there are the fans, in favor of the comparison, while others mock up the analogy.
But all of this started when Scottie Scheffler was recognized as the Hero World Challenge winner on December 8th, achieving a feat only two players have accomplished. One is the legend, Tiger Woods, who won the same event consecutively from 2006 to 2007, and Viktor Hovland, who won the title in both 2021 and 2022. And this year, Scheffler was the third one, since Tiger Woods’s event started, to make a similar record.
The 13-time PGA Tour winner carded a total of 25 under par, leaving behind Thomas as he birdied three of the first four holes and four of the final six. Thomas had a great start with birdies at the first and fourth holes, but the 31-year-old bogeyed at the par-three second and fifth. Thomas, who had not won since claiming the 2022 PGA Championship in Tulsa, closed with a one-under 71. This is what allowed the 2X Major winner to gain a lead, making an eight-foot birdie at the opening hole, a tap-in birdie at the par-five third, and a stunning birdie putt from just inside 50 feet at the fourth.
But is it close enough to rise to a comparison with an 82-time PGA Tour winner? Well, the winner himself says that he is flattered when people compare him to Tiger Woods, and it is something special for him. But “I mean, the guy stands alone, I think, in our game,” Scheffler said at Sawgrass in March. But Scheffler’s confession didn’t stop his fans from making the comparison, though. In fact, golfer Byeong Hun An went far with Woods and Scheffler’s comparison, which ultimately led Tiger Woods’s fans to shun the PGA Tour pro.
Fans grill PGA Tour pro for comparing Scheffler to Woods
On 9th December, the Korean golfer, Byeong Hun An, took it to X, saying, “I don’t care what anyone says, Scottie, this season was as good as one of Tiger’s best seasons on tour.“ This raised a heated debate over the platform where fans made fun of the 33-year-old for even drawing the comparison.
A user commented, “Not even close. He won 3 majors in one year and like 8-9 other tournaments.” While another Woods fan bluntly wrote, “Nope. Sorry, you’re wrong….,” and “crazy talk,” expressing how the golf billionaire’s dominance on the course is unparalleled, with 6 out of 6 seasons wins, including a record 11 wins in 2000. Scheffler’s achievements are worth it, but he still has a long way to go to match Woods’ unmatchable career.
I don’t care what anyone says, Scottie this season was as good as one of Tiger’s best seasons on tour
— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) December 9, 2024
A golf enthusiast even made fun of the PGA Tour pro, saying, “LOL. You probably think LeBron is the GOAT, not MJ,” referring to the GOAT debate that often centers on LeBron James and Michael Jordan, where many sports enthusiasts think MJ is the real GOAT. The reputation of Scottie and Woods can be seen in similar comparisons.
Tiger Woods has 5 major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories. Additionally, the pro held the number one spot for a record 683 weeks. Whereas talking about Scottie Scheffler, the 28-year-old has just held the position of #1. Pointing to the same stat, a fan said, “Scottie’s a star, no question, but there are levels to this, and Scottie’s got work to do still if we’re having this discussion.”
And we totally agree with it! Who knows? If the 28-year-old keeps on performing like this, he may one day make a record very near to the legendary one of golf. What do you think? Can Scheffler catch Woods? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
