Hank Haney, former coach of Tiger Woods, responded briefly yet decisively to an online comparison between Woods and Jack Nicklaus. The exchange occurred when a fan on social media pointed out that Woods has fewer major championships than Nicklaus, sparking a debate on who is the greatest of all time (GOAT) in golf. Haney shared the fan’s post and agreed with its assessment, offering his succinct opinion.
The post, made by an X user named Lou Stagner, argued that Nicklaus is the ultimate golf GOAT because he holds more major titles than Woods. Haney endorsed this view by reposting it with the comment: “Great point”.
Comparing the Major Wins of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus
Tiger Woods secured his first major title at the 1997 Masters Tournament, finishing 18 under par to beat Tom Kite. Over his career, Woods has won 15 major championships, including five Masters titles (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019), four PGA Championships (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007), three US Open victories (2000, 2002, 2008), and three Open Championships (2000, 2005, 2006). His 15 majors position him among golf’s elite.
In contrast, Jack Nicklaus leads with 18 major championships, the highest total ever recorded. His major victories include six Masters wins, five PGA Championships, four US Opens, and three Open Championships, establishing a significant margin over Woods in total major titles.
Tiger Woods Reflects on His First TGL Victory in 2025
Following his initial win in the 2025 TGL season at the So-Fi Center, Tiger Woods spoke about his experience adapting to the innovative golf format, which uses a simulator rather than a traditional course. Woods highlighted the challenges of playing on the simulator, noting how the unpredictable green conditions demand quick adjustments from players.
“It was definitely different than when we first played. Lesson was learned the hard way. We came in here more prepared.It is so different than normal golf, playing in a bigger screen like this or the green moving and contorting the breaks. A putt you normally — well, you hit once, automatically you already know the read, but they move the green on you. A putt that went right to left now goes left to right. Those are all little things we’ve had to learn on the fly.” —Tiger Woods, golfer
He also praised his teammate TK’s performance during the match and the overall atmosphere, expressing satisfaction with the event’s success and fan engagement.
“TK was unbelievable coming in here. We did some good work the other day, and today it couldn’t have been a more pleasurable display of golf, banter. Everyone in the audience was engaged. Hopefully all the viewership were engaged. We as players loved it. This is what we had envisioned for TGL, to have an experience like this, and I think we delivered.” —Tiger Woods, golfer
The victory held special meaning as it was watched by Woods’ late mother, Kultida Woods, adding an emotional layer to his achievement in the evolving golf platform.
The Impact of Ongoing Tiger Woods Nicklaus Comparison
The discussion sparked by Hank Haney’s brief endorsement of Jack Nicklaus as golf’s GOAT continues to fuel debate among fans and experts alike. While Woods boasts an impressive 15 majors and an influential career, Nicklaus’ record-setting 18 major titles remain a benchmark in golf history. This enduring comparison highlights the sport’s evolving legacy and invites reflection on how achievements are measured across different eras.
As Tiger Woods advances in new formats such as TGL and balances his legacy with ongoing performances, the conversation around his place in golf history is likely to remain prominent. Future milestones might further shape how both Woods and Nicklaus are viewed by the golf community worldwide.