Tiger Woods, the legendary icon of golf, has not played in a tournament since the 2023 Masters Tournament. While he is sidelined due to injuries, his absence has also allowed other professional golfers to break his records. For instance, Scottie Scheffler won the Masters in 2023, becoming the youngest player to do so since Woods in 1997. And Justin Thomas won the PGA Championship in 2023, becoming the first player since Woods to win three majors before the age of 26.

Speaking of records, the final FedEx Cup playoff is teeing off and the purse for this year’s Tour Championship is a staggering $75 Million. Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, and 27 of the top golfers worldwide are looking to claim the title. But the world no. 1 player has a bigger goal than just the $18 million reward – breaking a longstanding Tiger woods record.

Will Scottie Scheffler break Woods’ record?

It is weeks since Scheffler’s crowning moment of attaining the top rank on the OWGR. He is among the 30 elite golfers to play at the East Lake Golf Club. But there’s something else. Scheffler is steadily reaching a GIR percentage that may surpass the record of 82-time PGA Tour winner Tiger Woods.

Back in 2000, the World Golf Hall of Famer charted a record 75.15%. Normally, a 70% Green in regulation is expected for golfers to shoot good scores. But Scheffler has edged farther on the charts. He is steadily advancing to match Woods’ GIR record. And what’s more? He may actually top it.

According to the estimate, all he needs is to shoot at least 62 GIRs at this week’s $75 million event. Doing so will ensure that he meets, if not breaks, the record of the 5x Masters Champion in his absence. Having the ball reach the greens in fewer strokes should hardly be a challenge for the unrelenting world no. 1.

Scheffler isn’t the only one breaking Tiger Woods’ record in his absence. Several golfers are taking their run at the bar set by the legend while he recuperates.

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Which other golfers have matched or defeated Tiger Woods’ records?

The most prominent overtaking of Tiger Woods’ achievement was at the 2023 Open Championship where the 47-year-old golfer carded a 65 on a par-72 in 2006. This year’s winner, Brian Harman, recorded a 65 on a par-71, which met Wood’s personal best but on a more challenging course.

Another such blow came from a young LPGA golfer who recently broke ground as a pro. Rose Zhang shattered Woods’ 27-year old record with the maximum NCAA wins. To top it all, a LIV Golf, the circuit Woods detests saw one of their fan favorites, Bryson DeChambeau surpass the Tiger’s career best of 59 at the Greenbrier event.

There are also several golfers such as the Saudi Tour’s Dustin Johnson who came closest to Mr. T’s record of consecutive wins. Xander Schauffele is on a journey of his own to attempt to break the consecutive cuts made by Woods.

Do you believe Scheffler can score a higher GIR percentage than Woods at the Tour Championship? Do you think Tiger Woods can make up for the lost records on his return? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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