Jack Nicklaus’ records are endless.

Considered one of the greatest in golf, the achievements speak for themselves. However, it all came down to a simple mindset as Nicklaus stated in a recent interview.

The Golden Bear has won 18 majors and sits at the top of the all-time list. His highest winning major is The Masters at six. Following that is the PGA Championship at five. 

“Well, first of all, I don't think about it. You know that.  You go out and play to win.  Yes. And if you build a record, that's fantastic.  But as you say, if you're announcing me on the tee, that means we're playing another tournament. So I'm there to go win.  I'm not worried about what was behind me,” said Nicklaus.

On the official YouTube channel of the PGA Championship, Nicklaus was interviewed by 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem. It became clear that the 73 PGA Tour wins never got to the veteran's head. 

Nicklaus stands tied with fellow American Walter Hagen for the most PGA Championship titles. Both have a record five Wanamaker Trophies. 

The Golden Bear came out on top at the PGA Championship in 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, and 1980. On top of that, Nicklaus also holds a record for most runner-up finishes and the most top-three finishes at the PGA Championship, as Beem stated in the interview.

The list does not end here.

Nicklaus also made the most cuts in the tournament with 27, alongside Raymond Floyd and Phil Mickelson. Unsurprisingly, he leads the list for the most rounds under par, with 53.

Nicklaus dominated the PGA Championship between 1963 and 1980. His seven-stroke victory in 1980 remained the highest margin of victory until 2012, when Rory McIlroy won by an eight-shot lead at Kiawah Island.

Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have endlessly been compared, and questions have always been asked as to who has the greater legacy.

Let’s look into that through their records in the PGA Championship.

Comparing Jack Nicklaus To Tiger Woods At The PGA Championship

Tiger Woods has also been exceptional at the PGA Championship.

With four wins, Woods ranks second in the all-time list behind Nicklaus and Hagen. However, he is the only player of the stroke-play era to have won it back-to-back, on two separate occasions. (1999, 2000 & 2006, 2007).

Woods has recorded nine top-10 finishes compared to Nicklaus’ 15 and three runner-up finishes to Nicklaus’ four, with Nicklaus’ record being the highest in both.

Woods’ 2000 PGA Championship was part of his historic “Tiger Slam” - a feat achieved by no other golfer. He held all four majors simultaneously.

In the same tournament, Woods and Nicklaus were paired together, which ended up being Nicklaus’ last PGA Championship.

It was an iconic moment for the golf community as it was considered a “passing of the torch” moment between the two legends.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Kalp Thaker