Prime Tiger Woods vs. present-day Scottie Scheffler isn’t even close

In the annals of golf history, few seasons shine as brightly as Tiger Woods’ legendary 2000 campaign. At the youthful age of 24, Woods transformed the PGA Tour into his personal playground, rewriting records and leaving his competitors in awe.

With an astonishing nine victories, including three major championships, and an incredible 17 top-10 finishes in just 20 starts, Woods’ dominance was unparalleled. His on-course earnings of $10.7 million set a then-PGA record, a feat that seemed insurmountable at the time.

Fast forward to 2024, and the golf world finds itself reflecting on what might have been. Jamie Kennedy of Golf Digest embarked on a fascinating exercise, recalculating Woods’ 2000 season earnings in today’s monetary landscape. The results were nothing short of astounding.

How much would Tiger's 2000 season have earned him in 2024 money?

Of course, I calculated it 💰 pic.twitter.com/jgzeG25aoK

— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) April 17, 2024

According to Kennedy’s analysis, Woods would have amassed a staggering $92,333,970 in 2024, had his 2000 season unfolded in the present day. To put this into perspective, Scottie Scheffler’s record-breaking earnings of $21,014,032 from the previous year pale in comparison. Woods’ hypothetical season would have eclipsed Scheffler’s record by over $70 million, highlighting the magnitude of his dominance.

However, beyond the realm of monetary figures lies a deeper comparison between Woods and today’s top players, such as Scheffler. While Scheffler undeniably stands as one of the premier talents in modern golf, the gulf between his achievements and Woods’ 2000 season is vast.

In 2000, Woods’ performances bordered on the supernatural. From his awe-inspiring 15-shot victory at the U.S. Open to his commanding eight-stroke triumph at the Open Championship, and his double-digit victories at the WGC-NEC Invitational and the Memorial Tournament, Woods redefined what it meant to dominate the sport.

Comparatively, Scheffler’s career, while impressive, falls short of the seismic impact witnessed during Woods’ prime. With nine wins over five years and no victory by more than five strokes, Scheffler’s achievements pale in comparison to the sheer dominance exhibited by Woods.

Indeed, Woods’ 2000 season stands as a testament to the pinnacle of golfing excellence, a standard that may never be replicated. As the sport continues to evolve and new talents emerge, the legacy of Tiger Woods serves as a reminder of the extraordinary heights that can be achieved in the world of golf.

While it’s tempting to speculate on what could have been had Woods graced the 2024 PGA Tour, perhaps it’s best to appreciate his unparalleled greatness within the context of his own era. For in the realm of golf, as in life, some feats are simply too extraordinary to be confined to the constraints of time.