If you’re standing at a bar or sitting on a clubhouse porch and someone asks how many majors does Tiger have, the quick answer is 15. It’s a solid number. It’s the kind of number that ends arguments, or at least it used to. But honestly, if you really care about golf, that single digit doesn't even begin to cover the chaos, the comebacks, or the sheer statistical insanity of what Tiger Woods actually did to the sport.
As of January 2026, that number—15—remains frozen in time. He just turned 50. Let that sink in for a second. The man who made us all think 18 majors was a foregone conclusion is now eligible for the "Senior Tour" and can legally use a golf cart in competition.
The Current Count: Breaking Down the 15
To be crystal clear, Tiger Woods has won 15 professional major championships. This puts him second on the all-time list, trailing only Jack Nicklaus, who has 18. It’s been a long, weird road to get here. You’ve got the early dominance where he was winning by double digits, the middle years of surgical precision, and then that 2019 Masters win that felt like a fever dream for anyone who’d watched his back surgeries and car crashes from the sidelines.
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Here is how those 15 trophies actually sit on his mantle:
- The Masters: 5 wins (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019)
- PGA Championship: 4 wins (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007)
- U.S. Open: 3 wins (2000, 2002, 2008)
- The Open Championship: 3 wins (2000, 2005, 2006)
People sometimes forget he also has three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles. While those aren’t "professional" majors, they were the precursor to the most dominant stretch of golf anyone has ever seen. Basically, before he was winning Green Jackets, he was already breaking the spirits of every amateur on the planet.
The Peak of the Mountain: 2000-2001
If you want to understand why that "15" is so heavy, look at the "Tiger Slam." Between the 2000 U.S. Open and the 2001 Masters, Tiger held all four major trophies at the same time. No one else has done that in the modern era. Not Jack. Not Arnie. Not Ben Hogan.
Think about the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He won by 15 strokes. 15! Most pros are happy to win by one. Winning a major by 15 is like showing up to a marathon, finishing, taking a nap, and waking up just in time to see the silver medalist cross the line. It was't just golf; it was a demolition.
Why "How Many Majors Does Tiger Have" Still Sparks Debates
The reason we still obsess over this number is the comparison to Jack Nicklaus. Jack has 18 majors and 19 runner-up finishes. Tiger has 15 majors and... well, fewer second-place finishes. Jack was more consistent over four decades, but Tiger’s peak was objectively higher.
Statistics from 2026 show that Tiger’s career scoring average is still the lowest in PGA Tour history. In 2000, his adjusted scoring average was 67.79. To put that in perspective, if you play against the best in the world and your average is five strokes better than the field, you aren't just playing a different game; you're playing a different sport.
The Physical Toll and the 2026 Reality
Lately, the conversation has shifted. It’s less about "Will he catch Jack?" and more about "Can he walk 72 holes?" Since the 2021 car crash in Los Angeles, Tiger’s body has been held together by screws, plates, and sheer willpower. He’s had at least seven back surgeries now, including a recent disc replacement.
He missed the 2025 Masters because of a ruptured Achilles. As of right now, in early 2026, he’s just getting back to chipping and putting. The "pursuit" of 18 is likely over in the traditional sense. Even Jack Nicklaus recently said he expects Tiger to "dominate" the PGA Tour Champions (the over-50 circuit) because he can finally use a golf cart.
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Imagine Tiger Woods with a cart and a fresh set of knees playing against guys he already beat twenty years ago. It's gonna be a bloodbath.
Actionable Insights for the Golf Fan
If you're following the Tiger saga in 2026, here’s how to stay updated:
- Watch the TGL: Tiger’s high-tech, indoor golf league is where you’ll see him compete most often now. It’s easier on his body and lets him showcase that insane iron play without the five-mile hike.
- Check the Major Exemptions: Because he won the Masters, he has a lifetime invitation to Augusta. He’s also exempt for the Open Championship until he’s 60. Even if he isn’t winning, his presence changes the betting lines and the TV ratings instantly.
- Track the Senior Debut: Keep an eye on the 2026 U.S. Senior Open. It's one of the few "Senior Majors" that still requires walking, which is the big hurdle. If he tees it up there, you know his health is actually back.
Ultimately, the answer to how many majors does Tiger have is 15, but that number is just a placeholder for a career that redefined what we thought was possible. Whether he ever adds a 16th or just spends his 50s taking trophies away from the seniors, his impact is already permanent.
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Next Step: You can look up the 2026 PGA Tour Champions schedule to see which tournaments Tiger is likely to enter for his rookie senior season.