Statistically, Woods’ season so far is as strong as ever
How capable is Tiger Woods of resuming his dominance of golf?
A look at his PGA Tour statistics indicate that Woods is playing as well as ever in his 17 professional seasons, ranking No. 1 all-around.
Granted the sample size is small: We’re less than three months into the season. But of the eight “standard” statistical categories by which players on the PGA Tour are measured, Woods ranks in the top 20 in each. Such is Woods’ across-the-board excellence that no other player in golf ranks in the top 50 in all eight categories.
Woods is No. 1 total driving, No. 2 in scoring average (68.3 strokes per round), No. 4 in greens in regulation (71.8 percent), and No. 6 in sand saves (66.7 percent) and birdie average (4.5 per round).
Woods’ No. 1 rank in total driving is the most stunning aspect of his improvement. Here’s where Woods ranked total driving in recent seasons – No. 186 (2011), No. 192 (2010), No. 12 (2009), and No. 197 (2008). The last time Woods ranked No. 1 in total driving was 2000. That year he won three straight majors and six more PGA Tour events.
Since statistics were established by the PGA in 1980, Woods is the only player to finish a season with an all-around stat total under 155, doing it three times – 144 (1999), 113 (2000), 151 (2009). The all-around total is a sum of where a player ranks in the eight standard statistical categories. This year – again with a limited sample size – Woods has a 128 total. Rory McIlroy is next with a 174.
There has been much discussion about Woods lacking his old putting stroke. It’s true to some extent. Ranking No. 10 in strokes gained putting (.79), Woods hasn’t performed as well as in his prime. He finished in the top three in the stat for three straight seasons (2007-09).
Breaking down Woods’ putts by distance this year, he ranks No. 11 in putts made from inside 5 feet (97.8 percent), No. 46 in putts made from 5-10 feet (58.5 percent), and No. 18 in putts made from 10-15 feet (18th).
Woods next plays April 5-8 at the Masters. He hasn’t won a major since the 2008 U.S. Open, the longest drought of his career after capturing the 1997 Masters.
