Bubba Watson’s Controversial Claim About Golf Greats
Bubba Watson, a two-time major champion and LIV golfer, has made a provocative assertion regarding the peak performances of Tiger Woods in comparison to another golfer’s recent achievements.
In 2000, Woods is widely regarded to have had the most outstanding season on the PGA Tour in history. He claimed victory at the US Open at Pebble Beach, the Open Championship at St. Andrews, and the PGA Championship at Valhalla, which marked the third through fifth major titles of his career.
Woods also triumphed in six other tournaments that season, including the Mercedes Championships, Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Bay Hill Invitational, Memorial, WGC-NEC Invitational, and the Canadian Open. Despite this impressive record, Watson argues that a different golfer may have outperformed Woods’ historic season.
“I acknowledge Tiger’s achievements in 2000,” Watson told Golf.com. “But Scottie [Scheffler]’s year in 2024 was the best we’ve ever witnessed, especially given the level of talent worldwide.”
Watson’s assertion is noteworthy, especially considering that Scheffler only secured seven tournament victories in 2024 compared to Woods’ numerous wins. Scheffler’s 2024 highlights included victories at the Arnold Palmer, the Players Championship, and a second Masters title, among others. Additionally, he won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, a feat Woods never had the opportunity to compete for.
In 20 starts, Scheffler made every cut, finishing in the top 25 in 18 events, with 17 finishes in the top 10 and two runner-up spots. For Woods, 2000 was equally astounding; he also made the cut in all 20 events, achieving 17 top-10 finishes and four runner-up spots. Furthermore, Woods’ performance in the majors was legendary, culminating in a staggering 15-stroke victory at Pebble Beach.
Despite the debate, many social media users found Watson’s claim outlandish, criticizing him for undermining Woods’ monumental achievements. Polling revealed that 90.9% of respondents favored Woods’ 2000 season over Scheffler’s 2024 season. Amidst these discussions, Woods faces personal challenges, including a ruptured Achilles tendon, which has sidelined him from the Masters next month. Following a recent surgery, he expressed gratitude for the support he has received during this difficult time.
