Brandel Chamblee Argues Tiger Woods Stands Alone after Rory McIlroy 25th Title
Tiger Woods and Sam Snead have reached a historic tie with 82 PGA Tour wins each, but Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee is stirring the pot, arguing that Woods should stand alone as the ultimate winner. This deadlock was sealed at the Zozo Championship in October 2019, an incredible feat for Woods, coming 54 years…
Tiger Woods and Sam Snead have reached a historic tie with 82 PGA Tour wins each, but Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee is stirring the pot, arguing that Woods should stand alone as the ultimate winner.
This deadlock was sealed at the Zozo Championship in October 2019, an incredible feat for Woods, coming 54 years after Snead first set the bar with his victory at the Greater Greensboro Open.
However, Snead’s win count has been plagued by controversy over time, with fluctuations and uncertainties, while Woods’ count has steadily climbed since he turned pro in 1996.
Chamblee’s argument isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about the essence of those victories. He stresses that every single one of Woods’ wins, whether a Major championship or a regular PGA Tour event, was achieved solo, marking a significant distinction in golf history.
Chamblee points out that Snead’s record includes five team victories, leaving him with 77 solo triumphs, compared to Woods’ impressive 82 individual wins.
The debate gained traction on social media after Rory McIlroy’s recent win alongside Shane Lowry at the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, bringing his PGA Tour win count to 25. Gary Williams speculated whether Woods, known to be close friends with McIlroy, would poke fun at him for achieving this milestone as part of a duo.
Chamblee waded into the conversation, advocating for team wins to be classified separately from individual wins, further solidifying Woods’ case for the top spot.
Supporters of Chamblee’s stance highlight instances where golf legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, and Ben Hogan also notched team victories alongside their individual successes.
While some argue that a win is a win, many align with Chamblee’s viewpoint that individual victories should carry more weight in determining the most successful PGA Tour player.
McIlroy and Lowry celebrated their Zurich Classic victory in style, belting out Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” on stage, hinting at their plans to defend their title next year. But could a potential partnership between McIlroy and Woods in the future finally put an end to this debate?
