Scottie Scheffler has quickly become the dominant player on the PGA Tour in recent years, prompting many to draw comparisons with Tiger Woods. Despite Scheffler’s remarkable achievements, including his victory at The British Open that secured his fourth major title, he remains humble about how far he has to go to match Tiger Woods’ golf legacy. Scheffler’s rise has sparked discussion about the gap between a current top golfer and one of the all-time greats.
While Scheffler and Woods both won their fourth majors 1,197 days after their first, Scheffler has acknowledged that comparing himself to Woods is premature given the breadth of Woods’ career accomplishments and impact on the sport.
Comparison of Rankings and Records in Career Longevity
Tiger Woods set an extraordinary standard in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), initially breaking Greg Norman’s record of 96 consecutive weeks at No. 1 with a run of 261 weeks from 1999 to 2004. Woods later extended his record to a total of 281 consecutive weeks before losing the top ranking in 2010. In contrast, Scheffler’s current unbroken streak at No. 1 stands at 114 weeks, indicating he would need more than three additional years to surpass Woods’ record.
In terms of total weeks spent at number one overall, Woods dominates with 683 weeks, a benchmark far beyond the 149 weeks Scheffler has held the top spot to date. For Scheffler to eclipse Woods in this category, he would need to maintain his position against all challengers for over a decade.
Winning Under Pressure: Comparing Scheffler’s and Woods’ Consistency
One notable indicator of dominance in golf is winning tournaments after leading at the 54-hole mark. Scheffler recently completed his tenth consecutive victory following a 54-hole lead, accomplishing this feat with his British Open win. Woods, however, achieved an extraordinary streak of 36 consecutive wins with a lead after 54 holes during his peak, setting a difficult record for Scheffler to approach.
In terms of consecutive tournaments making the cut, Scheffler boasts an active streak of 60 events since missing the cut at the 2022 PGA Championship, the second-longest active run on Tour behind Xander Schauffele’s 69. Woods set a much higher standard with 142 consecutive cuts made between 1998 and 2005, highlighting his sustained excellence in major competition.
Career Victories and Major Championship Achievements
Woods holds a record-tying 82 PGA Tour victories alongside Sam Snead, making him one of the most successful golfers in history. Scheffler’s total of 17 PGA Tour wins since his first in 2022 shows promise but underscores the challenge he faces in catching up to Woods’ legendary win total.
When it comes to major championships, Woods is far ahead with 15 victories, while Scheffler recently joined an exclusive club of golfers with at least four majors thanks to his British Open win. Only Jack Nicklaus surpasses Woods in this category, holding 18 major titles.
Margins of Victory and Peak Performance Highlights
Tiger Woods’ 2000 U.S. Open victory set a record for the largest margin of victory in a major tournament, winning by 15 strokes over Miguel Angel Jimenez and Ernie Els. This emphatic win exemplified Woods’ dominance during his prime. Woods also previously set a record at The Masters in 1997 with a 12-stroke victory against Tom Kite.
Scheffler’s major wins have been by smaller margins, with his largest being a five-stroke victory at the 2025 PGA Championship. These results highlight the difference in magnitude between their major triumphs so far.
In a single PGA Tour season, Scheffler won seven tournaments in 2024, including The Masters and The Tour Championship. Although this marks an impressive season, Tiger’s record of nine wins during the 2000 campaign, which incorporated victories in the U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship, remains unmatched.
Financial Success and Career Earnings
Financially, Scheffler and Woods are close in terms of career PGA Tour earnings, with Scheffler having earned about $121 million compared to Woods’ $91 million in official tournament purses. When PGA Tour bonuses are included, both players’ earnings approach $155 million each. This suggests that Scheffler is on track to surpass Woods in total career earnings, though Woods currently retains a lead in official tournament winnings.
Notable Records and Unique Achievements
In the category of holes-in-one during PGA Tour events, Scheffler has recorded two, while Woods has made three as a professional, despite having made 20 in total over his lifetime. Scheffler’s aces include one as a 17-year-old amateur at the 2014 Byron Nelson and another at the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge. Woods’ professional aces came early in his career at tournaments including the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open, 1997 Phoenix Open, and 1998 Sprint International.
The Official World Golf Ranking’s average points over a two-year timeframe underscore the peak dominance of both players. Woods reached an apex of approximately 32.4 points in June 2001, while Scheffler’s highest average stood near 18.4 points in June 2025, reflecting Woods’ greater level of sustained supremacy.
Looking Ahead: What Scheffler’s Future May Hold Compared to Woods’ Legacy
Scottie Scheffler’s rapid ascent and current supremacy on the PGA Tour signify a promising future, but the legacy left by Tiger Woods sets an extraordinary benchmark. Woods’ records for consecutive weeks at No. 1, total PGA Tour victories, major titles, and unparalleled margins of victory spell out the scale of the challenge facing Scheffler. While Scheffler’s ongoing consistency, streaks, and skill suggest he can continue to grow into a prolific career, matching, let alone surpassing, Woods’ legendary status will require sustained excellence over many years.
Scheffler has demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure, and his current trajectory could see him close some gaps over time. However, Tiger Woods’ impact on the game goes beyond statistics, encompassing influence, resilience, and moments of greatness that shaped golf’s modern era. Observing Scheffler’s career unfold will be compelling as fans and analysts alike watch whether he can forge a legacy approaching that of one of the sport’s most iconic figures.