Is Scottie’s 2024 rivaling Tiger’s 2000?

Tiger Woods’ 2000 PGA Tour season is often hailed as the pinnacle of golfing excellence. During that year, Woods secured nine victories, including three major championships, and nearly doubled the prize money of his closest competitor, Phil Mickelson. Woods also set a record for the lowest scoring average of 67.79, a record he later matched. His dominance was especially evident at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where he won by an astonishing 15 shots, and the Open Championship at St. Andrews, where he triumphed by eight shots. He also clinched the PGA Championship at Valhalla in a thrilling playoff. This extraordinary year is widely regarded as the gold standard for modern PGA Tour seasons.

While other golfers have had impressive seasons—Vijay Singh’s nine-win year in 2004 and Woods’ own eight victories in both 1999 and 2006—Woods’ 2000 season remains the benchmark. However, Scottie Scheffler’s 2024 season is beginning to draw comparisons to Woods’ legendary run. With six wins, including two major championships, and a scoring average lower than Woods’ in 2000, Scheffler’s season is shaping up to be one of the most remarkable in recent history.

Let’s delve into a comparison of their achievements through each golfer’s first 15 starts:

| Category | Tiger Woods (2000) | Scottie Scheffler (2024) |
|———————-|———————|————————–|
| Wins | 6 | 6 |
| Major/Players wins | 3 | 2 |
| Top 5s | 12 | 10 |
| Money earned / available | 65% | 59% |
| Scoring average | 68.7 | 67.8 |
| Raw SG (season) | 3.92 | 2.77 |

Scheffler is keeping pace with Woods in several key areas. Despite facing different challenges—such as not competing against top players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith who no longer play on the PGA Tour—Scheffler’s performance is remarkably comparable to Woods’. However, it’s worth noting that several of Scheffler’s wins have come in smaller-field signature events, which may have impacted the level of competition he faced.

On the flip side, the level of competition in 2024 is arguably higher, with golfers today being longer and technically better than those in 2000. Additionally, Scheffler has had to participate in more mandatory events due to the modern PGA Tour’s scheduling requirements, making his consistency even more impressive.

Woods’ clear advantage lies in his major victories and his dominant Strokes Gained (SG) statistics, reflecting the margins by which he won. While Scheffler’s SG is impressive, it doesn’t quite match Woods’. Moreover, Woods’ victory in the U.S. Open by 15 shots is a feat unlikely to be matched.

A notable difference between the two seasons is the presence of the Olympics in 2024. Golf was not an Olympic sport during Woods’ 2000 season, but Scheffler will have the opportunity to compete for a gold medal in Paris, potentially adding another significant accolade to his record.

Scheffler remains focused on the present, with a humble approach to his success. “I don’t set long-term goals; I never have,” Scheffler stated. He emphasizes staying in the moment and competing with the right attitude, crediting his team for keeping him grounded.

If Scheffler were to win the remaining events he plans to participate in—the Open, the Olympics, and the three FedEx Cup playoff events—he could surpass Woods in total victories for a single season. Scheffler would have 11 wins, possibly a lower scoring average, and more top-five finishes, alongside a potential gold medal. Although he would fall one major short of Woods, the Players Championship victory and Olympic gold would bolster his case.

Ultimately, while Woods’ 2000 season is iconic and perhaps unsurpassable in its impact and dominance, Scheffler’s 2024 campaign could stand as a modern equivalent, showcasing the evolution of the game and the exceptional talent of today’s golfers.