Over the course of his professional career, he won 18 major titles and a further 94 tour titles. While this in itself is record-breaking, he managed all this while facing two generations of great golfers.
Early in his career, he had to contend with Arnold Palmer (seven majors) and Gary Player (nine). Later on, it was Tom Watson (eight) and Lee Trevino (six).
Nicklaus won his last major at the age of 46, a feat that amazed the world. Once 50, he proved that the golfing gift had not left him, winning 8 Senior Majors in just six years.
Age simply could not pin him down. In 1998, he rolled back the years and finished tied for sixth at the U.S. Masters, a remarkable achievement.
The career of Tiger Woods (born Dec. 30, 1975) shares many parallels with that of Nicklaus. In 1997, Tiger redefined the parameters to golf that Nicklaus had laid down years earlier, with a 12-stroke demolition of the field at the US Masters.
Just for comparison, the previous year's winner (and dominant player of the era) was one Nick Faldo. Quite.
Tiger won three straight U.S. Amateur titles before landing on the PGA Tour in 1996 with two (scripted) words that rang from coast to coast: "Hello World."
He turned pro with just seven tournaments remaining to earn his card for the next year (without having to go to the dreaded Q-School), and pundits were divided as to whether he would earn enough prize money to scrape into the Top 125.
His father had a different view, “Give Tiger seven tournaments, he’s bound to win one,” he said. Earl Woods was wrong—Tiger won twice.
Conventional wisdom suggests that when (not if) Tiger surpasses Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors (he currently has 13), he will take the crown of best golfer to ever play the game.
At total of 88 wins worldwide and a career Grand Slam at just 32 obviously demonstrate excellence, but there must be question marks about his legacy.
As mentioned above, Nicklaus went through his whole career facing a litany of consummate golfers, but whom has Tiger had to overcome? His nearest rival, Phil Mickelson, has just three majors to his name.
Nicklaus always knew his rivals would threaten him come the back nine on Sunday. More often than not, Tiger has simply seen his competition get blown away in the wind.
The ability to almost will the ball into the hole is a trait that both Tiger and Jack share, but among Jack’s contemporaries, Trevino, Watson and Player all demonstrated a similar ability. That's why Jack had to settle for second in a major no less than 19 times.
Who has performed similar heroics when facing Tiger? Mickelson has taken his victories when Tiger has been off the boil, so until someone goes toe-to-toe on a consistent basis, can we call Tiger the best player ever to grace the game?
Does this mean, then, we are left without a conclusion to the debate, sitting on the fence until Tiger surpasses Jack? Fortunately, to quote one famous high street bank, there is another way.
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