http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_golfers_with_most_PGA_Tour_wins
Accumulating 20 wins is significant, because it is one of the requirements for "lifetime membership" on the PGA Tour. This means that the golfer does not need to requalify for membership on the tour each year by finishing in the top 125 on the money list, or through an exemption for tournament victories. Many golfers struggle to do this through their forties, and go through a hiatus in their career before they qualify for the Champions Tour, but those with 20 wins avoid this problem.
However, lifetime members are required to maintain a certain (relatively modest) standard of play to retain their playing privileges: when they can no longer do so, they are moved into the "Past champions" membership category, effectively becoming honorary Accumulating 20 wins is significant, because it is one of the requirements for "lifetime membership" on the PGA Tour. This means that the golfer does not need to requalify for membership on the tour each year by finishing in the top 125 on the money list, or through an exemption for tournament victories. Many golfers struggle to do this through their forties, and go through a hiatus in their career before they qualify for the Champions Tour, but those with 20 wins avoid this problem. However, lifetime members are required to maintain a certain (relatively modest) standard of play to retain their playing privileges: when they can no longer do so, they are moved into the "Past champions" membership category, effectively becoming honorary members.
This should show how hard it is to do what Tiger has done and is doing, in this 'expanded' international era ++ thicker fields it only gets tougher...
** these stats don't even show Tiger's EPGA 3rd all time in wins stats. To say he is done is ludicrous when 44 year old Davis Toms is the new flavor of the day, and 32 year old Bubba Watson is the new fresh face of the PGA.., Goydos the 3rd place finisher at TPC will
Be 47 in June... KJ Choi is 40. Tiger is younger than the top 3 at TPC,,,
Far from done.. Tiger is only 35..,
Accumulating 20 wins is significant, because it is one of the requirements for "lifetime membership" on the PGA Tour. This means that the golfer does not need to requalify for membership on the tour each year by finishing in the top 125 on the money list, or through an exemption for tournament victories. Many golfers struggle to do this through their forties, and go through a hiatus in their career before they qualify for the Champions Tour, but those with 20 wins avoid this problem.
However, lifetime members are required to maintain a certain (relatively modest) standard of play to retain their playing privileges: when they can no longer do so, they are moved into the "Past champions" membership category, effectively becoming honorary Accumulating 20 wins is significant, because it is one of the requirements for "lifetime membership" on the PGA Tour. This means that the golfer does not need to requalify for membership on the tour each year by finishing in the top 125 on the money list, or through an exemption for tournament victories. Many golfers struggle to do this through their forties, and go through a hiatus in their career before they qualify for the Champions Tour, but those with 20 wins avoid this problem. However, lifetime members are required to maintain a certain (relatively modest) standard of play to retain their playing privileges: when they can no longer do so, they are moved into the "Past champions" membership category, effectively becoming honorary members.
This should show how hard it is to do what Tiger has done and is doing, in this 'expanded' international era ++ thicker fields it only gets tougher...
** these stats don't even show Tiger's EPGA 3rd all time in wins stats. To say he is done is ludicrous when 44 year old Davis Toms is the new flavor of the day, and 32 year old Bubba Watson is the new fresh face of the PGA.., Goydos the 3rd place finisher at TPC will
Be 47 in June... KJ Choi is 40. Tiger is younger than the top 3 at TPC,,,
Far from done.. Tiger is only 35..,
One thing I do know for sure is even though Tiger still has some of his fanbase, the great majority of armchair fans he had before are no longer there. So even if he breaks Jack's record, because there are now so many people rooting against him, the celebration won't be nearly as big of deal as it could have been. If Tiger gets 100% healthy with his knee (a BIG if) there is no doubt in my mind that he will figure out his swing and break the majors record. The major problem right now with Tiger is time. He doesn't have as big a window to do it now that he's 35. Just look at yesterdays PGA winner David Toms. He was about Tiger's age when the injuries starting creeping in. And it took him something like 7 years to get 100% healthy and get his game back. You just never know how long it will take. If Tiger keeps rushing it to get back to playing, he may never heal up. This is a big reason why I think he should just play majors. He's already proved himself on the regular tour having won almost every minor tournament out there. He should just aim big for here on out.
Couldnt agree more. The fans will be there when he wins again and they will act like they never had a doubt. Hell, thats with all sports. Look at Tampa Bay Rays, they avg what like 15,000 a game? They make the playoffs and the dome is sold out. People will stop rooting from behind the trees when their team starts winning.
For me personally, I have no problems rooting for Tiger in public even right now when he is playing poorly. I still wear my TW hat at all times. I have no problem supporting Tiger right now because if Tiger never existed, I'd imagine about half the "golf fans" out there, would have never been "golf fans" in the first place.
Hopefully he gets his shit together. I hope he doesnt play the memorial. I'm hoping he is at home practicing his ass off and shows up playing really well at the US Open. Motivation should be there after the embarressment at Sawgrass. I'd like to see him hit the ball like he did at the Masters, but make some putts. If he does that at the Open, he's gonna be tought to beat. If I see 20/1 on him, you better believe I'm biting
I don't think so. Tiger also had a pretty large female fanbase before all of this happened. I guarantee you what he did offends women to no end. And I've been told as much by some women I know. People who are religious, and thought he had a squeeky clean image, are pretty much done with him. Only the diehard Tiger fans are still backing him. Many being young men in their 20's who aren't as offended by married men with a beautiful wife and kids, going out and banging everything with two legs. I guarantee you if there wasn't as many people in Jack's corner before, there is now. It has nothing to do with what you or I think. It's what the majority think about Tiger. It's also the general air that Tiger still gives out that reeks of arrogance. Like cussing loudly on the golf course and spitting on the greens etc. Sorry, I just don't like characters like that, no matter how talented they are. But it doesn't seem to offend this generation as much because it's more the norm in society now.
I was at Thurs, Fri, & Sat at the Masters this year. To many of your beliefs, I could not tell Tigers' fan base had diminished at all. I think many want to bash (and honestly he deserves it being on the drought he is on), but its common for the average fan to try to find "chinks in the armor" of the great ones. Look at how instead of people seeing the greatest of all times (Jordan or Kobe in BBall.....Manning in Football) and enjoying the greatness, they are ready to shove them out the door when they start showing a little age. Tiger has never had higher competition, but he will be back. He is too good of an athlete to not comeback. I personally think Tiger has a pride issue, and until he confronts that he will never be back to being dominate. I challenge you all that think that Tiger's fan base is gone, to attend the next Major (which is the best of best) and see who the masses are following still....mengal among serious golf fans and try to listen for anybody putting Tiger down or saying he is finished. It just doesn't happen.
I will still cheer for Tiger, only because he is greatness and I choose to enjoy watching greatness succeed rather than fail. I am 29 years old, and have been around golf my whole life. I doubt I will see another skill like Tiger has in my life time. Tiger dominated the game, and hopefully can get back on track. I am a firm believer that the talent level of golf is a lot greater than it was 20 years ago and the talent pool is three times as deep.
I will still cheer for Tiger, only because he is greatness and I choose to enjoy watching greatness succeed rather than fail. I am 29 years old, and have been around golf my whole life. I doubt I will see another skill like Tiger has in my life time. Tiger dominated the game, and hopefully can get back on track. I am a firm believer that the talent level of golf is a lot greater than it was 20 years ago and the talent pool is three times as deep.
I've seen two great golfers in my lifetime with Nicklaus and Tiger. There's no reason not to think another great one will come along. I do think that the PGA tour needs Tiger right now. Any sport is better when there is an extraordinary athlete that stands above the rest. Your either rooting for him to break records, or your rooting for the player he's playing to step up and slay the dragon. Either way, it makes for great television, and it's good for the game. Tiger draws the crowds on the golf course. And probably always will.. But I guarantee you his overall fanbase isn't as big as it was. And never will be again.
GS - For discussion, I assume that you are a solid golf fan that has been around it for years and appreciate the game. The comment you make earlier is true about certain demographics in a fan base and those that have disowned Tiger. I do believe that once he starts winning again, and he will, that all those fans will come back. Most people love greatness in a sport. Even the Tiger-haters deep down recognize how good he is and that carries weight enough to "smile with-in" when he wins. Not the opposite that are just mad, I really don't think as a true golf fan you can be that way. That being said, the fan base you speak that we have here in America loves a winner. Look at Mike Vick. He made a terrible mistake, and I for one made some comments (as I did with Tiger), but at the end of the day I was rather pleased to see him bounce back and have an MVP type season. I don't hate him for what he done, because we all make mistakes. With Tiger, most should feel the same way. If he is truly sorry, it will show enough to gain a little respect. I play a lot of golf at a lot of different clubs, and I consider those people at those clubs true golf followers and fans...95% percent of those guys cheer for Tiger come Saturday or Sunday. It is in our nature to cheer for greatness.........and within that, I am sure a lot of those guys are closet fans. Come Monday back at the office and the buzz is about Tiger and the non-golf fan or casual golf fan starts the bashing, its back to the bashing. Deep down, it is really tough to hate or not to cheer for someone that you really cheered for before no matter what that athlete did. I would say that is connection more on a fan basis than a personal one. I for one have been married for 5 years to a beautiful women and have two young boys. I don't agree with what he did, but I really could care less. That is his personal life. Tiger will be back and his fan-base will show again in the public eye, not just the golfer's eye.
