I know, I know, it's another Tiger thread but this question has been lingering on my mind since he has defended the Open.
Tiger has successfully defended 3 out of 4 majors (Masters, PGA, and Open) now, So, the question is...
IF Tiger were to win and defend US Open (hypothetically), do you yuys think that is a significant record? Or it's much ado about nothing?
Unless I'm wrong, i don't think anyone has done it before.
Just wondering what you experts think about this accomplishment, if it does happen.
It'd just be another one of those things that he's doing that hardly anyone or NO ONE has done (such as winning majors by 12 or 15 shots, winning the career Grand Slam by age 24, etc.).
IF Tiger were to win and defend US Open (hypothetically), do you yuys think that is a significant record? Or it's much ado about nothing?
That would be nice, but it is not as important as the fact that in doing so he would be adding 2 more US Open wins! Nonetheless, given that it takes at least 8 major wins to achieve it, it is quite something. And if it happens I am sure we will have to endure hearing about several times an hour during TV coverage!
I believe the last two players to win back to back US Opens are Curtis Strange in 87-88, and before that, Ben Hogan. So, in the last 50 years, it's only been done twice.
It would be a huge achievement for anyone, and I think the biggest reason for that would be that the venue always changes. You have to beat the best players in the world not only on one, but two different brutally difficult courses.
I think Bigvivec was saying that since Tiger won the US Open in 2000 and 2002, doing that is already a significant accomplishment.
I don't believe that anyone has ever successfully defended all 4 majors. Since Tiger is the only active PGA Member that has already successfully defended the Masters (2001, 2002), the British Open (2005, 2006) and the PGA Championship (1999, 2000), the only major he hasn't successfully defended is the US Open. If he does it, it'll be another one of his "firsts".
The US open is obviously the most difficult to defend, with only 5 players to have done it in the Open's 111 year history.
The only players to have completed the career grand slam are Sarazen, Hogen, Player, Nicklaus and Woods. Woods has the career grand slam x2 and Nicklaus has the career grand slam x 3. Woods needs 1 more US Open and 1 more PGA for his 3rd career grand slam. So the only ones who could have possibly pulled off the back to back sweep of the majors was Woods and Nicklaus. The only major Nicklaus won back to back was the Masters in 1966 and 67. Tiger has won the Masters in 2001-2002, the British Open in 2005-2006, and the PGA in 1999-2000.
OK folks. You asked for it, so I'll give you the answer and when (if is more like it) he's got his best chance to pull a back-to-back at the U.S. Open. 2009 is at Bethpage Black and 2010 is at Pebble Beach. He could even theoretically win 3 straight since 2008 is at Torrey Pines (one of his favorite courses). So definitely 2008-2009, 2009-2010, or 2008-2010 (3-peat) would be his best chances at this point.
The only players to have completed the career grand slam are Sarazen, Hogen, Player, Nicklaus and Woods. Woods has the career grand slam x2 and Nicklaus has the career grand slam x 3. Woods needs 1 more US Open and 1 more PGA for his 3rd career grand slam. So the only ones who could have possibly pulled off the back to back sweep of the majors was Woods and Nicklaus. The only major Nicklaus won back to back was the Masters in 1966 and 67. Tiger has won the Masters in 2001-2002, the British Open in 2005-2006, and the PGA in 1999-2000.
It's probably worth pointing out the only man to win the Grand Slam won 3 of his 4 majors back to back.
July 27th, 2006, 06:24 PM
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