Tiger Woods has won five Masters titles — in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2019. His first, in 1997, made him the youngest Masters champion in history at 21 years, three months, and 14 days old, and he won it by a record 12 strokes. His most recent, in 2019, is widely considered one of the greatest comebacks in sports, coming after years of injuries, multiple back surgeries, and personal turmoil that had many assuming his competitive career was over. Woods' five green jackets place him second all-time behind only Jack Nicklaus, who won six.
Who Has Won the Most Majors in Golf?
Jack Nicklaus has won the most major championships in men's golf history, with 18 titles across the Masters (6), PGA Championship (5), U.S. Open (4), and Open Championship (3), captured between 1962 and 1986. Tiger Woods sits second with 15 majors, the closest anyone has come to Nicklaus' record in the modern era — his tally includes 5 Masters, 4 PGA Championships, 3 U.S. Opens, and 3 Open Championships. Walter Hagen is a distant third with 11.
Among today's active players, Rory McIlroy has emerged as the closest thing to a genuine long-term threat to that hierarchy. After completing the career Grand Slam and winning back-to-back Masters titles in 2025 and 2026, McIlroy has built his major count to six, joining Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Woods as the only golfers to win consecutive Masters titles. He remains well short of both Nicklaus and Woods, but his current form has reopened the conversation about who might eventually challenge the record.
For more on his 2026 comeback timeline and retirement outlook, see Will Tiger Woods Retire From Golf?
Is Tiger Woods Playing in the 2026 Masters?
No — Tiger Woods did not play in the 2026 Masters. He withdrew from consideration after his DUI arrest following a rollover car crash on March 27, 2026, announcing days later that he was stepping away from golf to seek treatment. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed the club's support for Woods' decision, saying his "presence will be felt" at the tournament even in his absence. Woods went on to miss every major championship in 2026 — the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and Open Championship — marking the second straight year he sat out all four. The 2026 Masters itself was won by Rory McIlroy, who successfully defended his 2025 title.
Whether Woods returns to Augusta in 2027 remains uncertain. As a five-time champion, he holds a lifetime invitation to play the tournament whenever he's ready, and reports from mid-2026 suggested his team was targeting a broader competitive return no earlier than late 2026, with the Masters representing his most realistic major target for 2027.
For Tiger Woods profile, visit Tiger Woods on SportifyHQ.
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