In just over four months, the impact that Darrin Chiaverini has had on Colorado Football in his second go around in Boulder (this time as a coach after his 1995-1998 playing career) has been immense and yet he has another four and a half months until he coaches his first game for the Buffs.
Chiaverini has brought the Buffs into 2016 recruiting with his use of social media and adulation for his alma mater. He has helped direct his staff and get them more interactive on social media but out on the recruiting trail and selling CU again.
Is this all due to Chiaverini? No, but there is no doubt there was a noticeable change in recruiting philosophy and the way the staff approached recruiting than ever before under Mike MacIntyre. This staff is selling CU is on the rise (#Rise16) and has facilities, equipment and tradition that can go up against any of the big dogs. To hear a recruit even breathe CUs facilities in the same sentence of Oregon's facilities is astounding. CU has built a world class facility and spent money where it belongs, not on some Teak wood lifting platform and aesthetic elements that cost 5x what you can get the same look/feel. The Buffs are on the RISE and it is because Chiaverini has been relentless on the recruiting trail. The Buffs coaches have taken every opening in the recruiting window and flew through it. The Buffs closed hard lost year after Chiaverini was brought on board bringing in 4 of their Top 6 2016 commitments after he was brought on board.
The 2017 haul has already begun with CU landing two of the top 10 in-state kids in Jon Van Diest and Dante Sparaco on February 28th. In the month of April, two 4-star wide receivers being recruited by Chiaverini in Jaylon Jackson and Laviska Shenault have committed to play ball in Boulder starting in 2017. While it is early and you never know if a commit holds, the simple fact is these two are the highest rated commits CU has had in many years (with apologies to similarly rated Shay Fields, Tim Lynott and Beau Bisharat), especially this early in the process. The number of high 3 star to 4 star recruits even mentioning CU in their top dozen is something CU has not seen in the past decade. The fact a program that has had 10 straight losing seasons is garnering interest and gaining steam is tied to two things to me: Facility Upgrades and an approach to go after the best recruits and get them interested in CU Football. The offer lists aren't MWC laden, the guys on CUs radar that are heavily considering the Buffs have legit Power 5 conference offers. Not just another school or two.
It is a great start for recruiting in 2017 and to generate buzz for the 2016 season. This summer's June camp should add a few more commits and continue to get the steam rolling. The main question still centers on 2016. If 2016 is a copy of the previous two seasons, it doesn't matter what this staff does on the recruiting trail, there will be questions that can no longer be answered and Rick George will have to figure out what direction to take the football program in. Either way, I see Chiaverini being a long term plan at CU with his tenacity as a coach and recruiter.
Speaking Rick George, the simple fact is he has done everything you could ask of him as an athletic director. He has made changes in head coaches in two sports that haven't met his expectations in volleyball and women's basketball and he has spearheaded his main initial goal and secondary goal: generate fundraising into a program that had never raised more than $15 million in a single year and help build a top end athletic facility. With the Buffs putting on the finishing touches of their athletic facility upgrades that have transformed the northeast side of the stadium and just eat of the stadium with an indoor practice facility and soon-to-be complete outdoor practice facility adjacent to the stadium, the Buffs have transformed Folsom Field and it's surroundings.
As of two months ago, the Drive for $105 Million ($85 million capital with $20 million in endowment) had reached $66.15M and $28M respectively with a total of $94.2M. The university had set incentives in Rick George's contract to meet those fundraising goals with the total $105 million to be met no later than June 30, 2018 to achieve the final incentive. They were $15M June 2014 ($50k), $25M June 2015 ($100k), $50M June 2016 ($150k), $75M June 2017 ($200k), $100M June 2018 ($250k). Rick George appears to have been underestimated by the university considering he will most likely reach his 2018 incentive goal almost two year ahead of schedule. The $166 Million facilities upgrade will most likely not be George's last task or fundraising effort unless someone finds a way to woo him elsewhere. The work being done by Rick George has not been unnoticed with his home state and alma mater University of Illinois showing great interest in George and him turning down the chance there to remain in Boulder. Rick George has done everything asked of him and more at CU and even with his exciting hire in summer 2013 (George takes AD Job Running), the relentlessness of his constant pursuit to make anything he heads (Senior PGA/Champions Tour, Texas Rangers COO, President/CEO Fore!Kids Foundation, etc.) improve tenfold from when he started on it has continued. CU Athletics is also on the RISE due to his leadership and vision, not just the money he is helping to generate.
The Buffs have struck gold with hires of Rick George as AD to the additions of Jim Leavitt, Joe Tumpkin and now Darrin Chiaverini. Let's hope 2016 it all ties in to seeing CU have it's most successful football season since the Barnett era at CU. CU is on the RISE!
Friday, April 22, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Respects to a Retiring Legend: Irv Brown
Irv Brown has been a staple of Denver Sports Talk for longer than I have lived and his retirement today is a bittersweet day. It brings back memories for many on why they fell in love or got involved with sports radio. The duo of Irv Brown and Joe Williams and the Irv and Joe show will most likely never come close to being matched with program directors constant programming shake-ups and maybe it is fitting, because no one has done it quite like Irv and Joe.
Irv Brown brought two things that are vital in Sports Talk Radio: Sports IQ/Knowledge and Entertainment. His sports IQ and genuine love of talking anything and everything from the high school to professional level has been unmatched. Whether it be the easy talk of Broncos or the Avs talk, Irv Brown took the time and had something that wasn't full of bologna. He actually did his homework and this was before the internet. Irv paid attention to details. I didn't know Irv as the coach and referee but I felt like I did with his stories.
His connections were endless, from the secretary at an elementary school to the unknown high school basketball player from 40 years ago to iconic Bob Knight, Irv took the time to get to know and show respect to those he dealt with. It's how he treated sports talk and callers. I can't recall him ever belittling a caller like Sandy Clough or not trying to bring something positive to the program. He was always an upbeat voice.
Personally, Irv Brown means a lot to my love for sports talk radio. I began listening religiously to sports talk radio in 1999. I had listened to Nuggets games on-air for many years before that, but in 1999 I began to drive to college from Thornton to Golden five days a week. It was a commute that was no less than 35 minutes on a good day and was mostly like a job being there 8-4 p.m. My commute home consisted of only one show, Irv and Joe on 950 The Fan. Irv and Joe made The Fan become what it is today, a giant. They got callers involved with The Hunt and their repertoire with one another was always great entertainment. Yes, I have called for their retirement at times, but no matter what if I was in the car, I gave Irv and Joe a few minutes of my time, because they always balance those key elements of Sports IQ and Entertainment. Unfortunately, many other shows have repeatedly failed at this. They either get too involved in the entertainment/schtick of it (see Big Al & D-Mac) or too sports IQ (see Sandy Clough and his dead air).
I listened to Irv on with Mike Evans today. One of my favorite sports laughter memories is one he highlighted, The Hunt that day was people named Johnson and oblivious to it Irv asked callers, "Do you have a Johnson?" The other great memories center around his back and forth about Joe's unfounded disdain for the 2001 Avalanche and John Elway and how he never let him rest on it. Irv and Joe will not be matched, because there is not enough guys that are willing to put in the work to learn as much as these two did on a daily basis. I have yet to hear a show cover as many subjects and sports as Irv and Joe could in 3 hours. Hell, their 1-hour show was more diverse than almost anything The Fan has produced in the last month.
Irv Brown, today being known as Irv Brown Day in Colorado is a fitting send off for a legend. The amount of radio/TV guys that have shown their respect on social media and on your show today is unmatched. You will be missed and Denver Sports Radio loses a big piece of its heart today.
Come Home Baby, Now!!!
Irv Brown brought two things that are vital in Sports Talk Radio: Sports IQ/Knowledge and Entertainment. His sports IQ and genuine love of talking anything and everything from the high school to professional level has been unmatched. Whether it be the easy talk of Broncos or the Avs talk, Irv Brown took the time and had something that wasn't full of bologna. He actually did his homework and this was before the internet. Irv paid attention to details. I didn't know Irv as the coach and referee but I felt like I did with his stories.
His connections were endless, from the secretary at an elementary school to the unknown high school basketball player from 40 years ago to iconic Bob Knight, Irv took the time to get to know and show respect to those he dealt with. It's how he treated sports talk and callers. I can't recall him ever belittling a caller like Sandy Clough or not trying to bring something positive to the program. He was always an upbeat voice.
Personally, Irv Brown means a lot to my love for sports talk radio. I began listening religiously to sports talk radio in 1999. I had listened to Nuggets games on-air for many years before that, but in 1999 I began to drive to college from Thornton to Golden five days a week. It was a commute that was no less than 35 minutes on a good day and was mostly like a job being there 8-4 p.m. My commute home consisted of only one show, Irv and Joe on 950 The Fan. Irv and Joe made The Fan become what it is today, a giant. They got callers involved with The Hunt and their repertoire with one another was always great entertainment. Yes, I have called for their retirement at times, but no matter what if I was in the car, I gave Irv and Joe a few minutes of my time, because they always balance those key elements of Sports IQ and Entertainment. Unfortunately, many other shows have repeatedly failed at this. They either get too involved in the entertainment/schtick of it (see Big Al & D-Mac) or too sports IQ (see Sandy Clough and his dead air).
I listened to Irv on with Mike Evans today. One of my favorite sports laughter memories is one he highlighted, The Hunt that day was people named Johnson and oblivious to it Irv asked callers, "Do you have a Johnson?" The other great memories center around his back and forth about Joe's unfounded disdain for the 2001 Avalanche and John Elway and how he never let him rest on it. Irv and Joe will not be matched, because there is not enough guys that are willing to put in the work to learn as much as these two did on a daily basis. I have yet to hear a show cover as many subjects and sports as Irv and Joe could in 3 hours. Hell, their 1-hour show was more diverse than almost anything The Fan has produced in the last month.
Irv Brown, today being known as Irv Brown Day in Colorado is a fitting send off for a legend. The amount of radio/TV guys that have shown their respect on social media and on your show today is unmatched. You will be missed and Denver Sports Radio loses a big piece of its heart today.
Come Home Baby, Now!!!
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Jack Nicklaus: 30 Years After '86 Masters & Still THE GREATEST
Jack Nicklaus is one of two professional athlete that comes to my mind when you talk about sports figures I grew up idolizing the first 10 years of my life. The other being local legend John Elway. I loved the game of golf from my earliest years. Maybe it was because my dad dug holes in the front and back yard of our corner lot trailer of Redwood Estates in Federal Heights (yes, I came from a fairly less than silver spoon fed environment) and we would play our little 9 hold course. My dad with a 9-iron and me with a blue handled flat head putter that many more recent golfers would mistake as a driving iron these days. Our lawn was kept short put many golfers would consider our course all playing from the rough. While I have played golf once every few years, the simple fact is I suck at the game. I never took the time or money to invest in a game I have always had an affinity for but lacked the tools needed to become decent at it: the clubs, the time and the on-course passion for it.
I started watching golf before I was even in Kindergarten and my earliest memories and my greatest memory was two months before my 5th birthday watching Jack Nicklaus turn Amen's corner and catch fire in April 1986. Nicklaus was 46 and had not won a major since 1980. In my house, we did not miss Sunday of the Master's... ever. I had watched the year before when The Golden Bear had flirted with making a run and finished in the Top 10. My eyes were glued to the television but CBS had focused their coverage and belief elsewhere it seems; this I recall slightly but I have also re-watched that Masters to recall that Aussie Greg Norman held the lead going into the 4th round and Spaniard Seve Ballesteros had 2 Master's under his belt with 1985 Champion both only a shot back heading into the day. My own memories are strong in Jack turning Amen corner with a shot, even though he was still far down the leaderboard. The 15th was when it became a true possibility when Jack eagled to reach 7-under and then birdie-birdied 16 and 17. Before Tiger Woods fist pump became a staple of television jacks long left foot stride and putter raise after birdie-ing #17 of the Masters to get to 9 under was what was most replayed by anyone covering golf. The 18th was nerve racking and Nicklaus nearly birdied from over 30 feet. Ballesteros, Kite and Norman all had chances but struggled.
The Masters and Jack Nicklaus are reasons I fell in love with the game of golf. It was a bond my dad and I had since he was a young kid like I was when Jack stormed onto the golf scene. While my bond broke with my dad, they are memories I will forever hold as fond ones with him. Growing up, my dad constantly talked about two golfers, Jack Nicklaus and Ken Venturi. Venturi because of getting free food, golf and other libations when he would find the course as a kid and clame our Ventura spelling was somehow related to "Uncle" Kenny. I have held Jack Nicklaus in high regard since my earliest memories and his last major and still record 18th major on the course he is most famous for playing holding multiple records. His career scoring average at Augusta Nationals is still under 72 which includes him playing up to 2005 at the age of 65 with very little chance at doing more than being a figure head. Jack's bright smile, professional nature and trading punches with the likes of Arnold Palmer and early in his career; Tom Watson, Gary Player, Lee Trevino and even Raymond Floyd during his prime and Seve Ballesteros at the later part of his career, Nicklaus stared down and fought the best competition in golf. He is the best ever and the list of above players is why.
From 1962 to 1980, Jack Nicklaus won 17 major championships. During that span Gary Player won 7 Majors, Lee Trevino won 5 and Tom Watson 4. During that span Jack was known for what he did in the 18th (a fitting number for a legend in a sport that plays 18 holes) and final major Nicklaus stalked his competition, stared them down and took over. He came from behind, he didn't have to have the lead going into Sunday in order to have a shot. On the contrary Tiger Woods run run from 1997 to 2008 saw 14 major championships, but no golfer had more than 3 Major victories during that run for Tiger. Tiger was on pace to unseat Nicklaus and I truly questioned if my idol was going to be considered second fiddle to Tiger during his amazing run from 1999 to 2001 Masters where he had 8 consecutive Top 10 finishes and 5 major victoires but the numbers and data don't lie; Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer ever with apologies to the Walter Hagen lovers out there. It's what lies beneath the major victories that ultimately makes Nicklaus that much greater than Tiger. Tiger remained somewhat competitive after his last major vitory at the 2008 US Open but his 2014, 2015 and DNP 2016 Masters has shown his violent swing( not smooth as silk swing that Jack had) has taken it's toll on Tiger. To do a fair comparison I will take his best run which truly began in 1998 and end it mid 2010 when he finished the Masters and US open in a T-4th to Jack's best timeframe which is difficult to decipher considering during the 1970s spanning 40 tournaments Jack Nicklaus only finished outside the Top 10 5 times!
TIGER WOODS: Masters 1998 to Us Open 2010- In that span Tiger played 48 Majors where Tiger had 33 Top 10 finishes with 13 of those being major victories, 6-2nd places, 27 of those 33 being Top 5 finishes. As said above his run from 1999 US Open to 2001 Masters is astounding but take into account his 2005 Masters run to 2008 US Open Run where he had 12 Top 5 finishes in 14 tries, 6 majors and an additional 4 runner-ups and you can see why Tiger was truly though to be greater than Nicklaus by many that didn't truly know golf history.
JACK NICKLAUS: Masters 1963 to PGA Championship 1975-Jack Nicklaus played 52 Majors (hey I am not going to penalize Jack for Tiger's DNPs) where Jack had 40 Top 10 finishes, also 13 majors, 32 Top 5 finishes, 11 runner-ups. Jack never had a span of 14 major where he won 6 majors but from the 1970 US Open to 1973 PGA Championships, also a 14 major span, Jack had 5 majors and also 12 Top 5 finishes.
In the 23 majors since the 2010 US Open (23rd being this weeks Masters), Tiger Woods has 5 missed cuts, 5 DNPs and only 4 Top 10 finishes. In the 23 majors after Jack Nicklaus finished with a PGA Championship in 1973, he only had one missed cut and one finish outside the Top 10. He amassed 3 additional majors, 16 of those Top 5 finishes. That doesn't include his 1980 Major season where he added majors 16 and 17 to the belt.
It always caused a bit of anger and sadness when people would say move over Jack, Tiger is the greatest of all-times. I get it, people cling to the latest thing and what they have seen, but the numbers have never lied, Jack owns Tiger as the numbers above show and just in general. Jack's run was always far greater than Tiger because he was always in contention. If we compare 40 year old Tiger to 40 year old Jack starting from their first major win we see the following data in majors that makes any of those previous talk of Tiger being the best ever pure humor:
The numbers don't lie, while Tiger has slipped more and more, Jack stayed strong. The numbers that are truly staggering in the above are the difference in runner-ups and Top 5s and Top 10s. Jack was more competitive, simple. Yes, the number of golfers at the top of the group is larger today, the simple fact is Jack stayed in contention. Jack's run for The Open Championship may be the most amazing run in a major at golf or maybe any sport. Jack was in the Top 5 for 11 consecutive years, the Top 6 in 16 of 17 years. The closest to that level in golf in the modern era was Jack's 10 years of Top 10 Master's run during the 1970s. I wont' lie, I admired Tiger's grit at The Master's every year since he dominated the field and got his first major in 1997. It's the only major where he is nearly to Jack's level.
Tiger Woods body has broke down and while his 2013 season was strong and earned him Player of the Year honors and a T4 and T6 in majors, the last two years have been a nightmare. Tiger used to be amongst the longest off the tee and while he can still be in the Top 25% his biggest issues lie in greens in regulation and putting. Both have taken deep dives where his average putting has gone up and average greens in regulation continues to decrease in percentage. He can't save his errant drives any longer. Fairways or not, Tiger didn't care, he could save his long tee shot but it has not been the same. Add that to Tiger hitting his 40s and the surge of young guns like Jordan Spieth, Rory McIllroy and unless Tiger can get healthy and find a semblance of his former self, the best we can wish for is Tiger to have that one last run in him. The time between major 14 and 15 for Nicklaus was nearly 3 years and between major 17 and 18 nearly another 6 years. The time from Tiger's last major is still on the clock and already a minimum of 8 years with him missing the 2016 Masters this week. The likelihood Tiger catches Jack's majors has gone from over 50% to probably less than 1%. Tiger has to have a resurgence at an older age with a group of hungry young golfers ahead of him. Tiger's days appear over and as history shows, The Golden Bear is still the greatest to ever tee it up.
I started watching golf before I was even in Kindergarten and my earliest memories and my greatest memory was two months before my 5th birthday watching Jack Nicklaus turn Amen's corner and catch fire in April 1986. Nicklaus was 46 and had not won a major since 1980. In my house, we did not miss Sunday of the Master's... ever. I had watched the year before when The Golden Bear had flirted with making a run and finished in the Top 10. My eyes were glued to the television but CBS had focused their coverage and belief elsewhere it seems; this I recall slightly but I have also re-watched that Masters to recall that Aussie Greg Norman held the lead going into the 4th round and Spaniard Seve Ballesteros had 2 Master's under his belt with 1985 Champion both only a shot back heading into the day. My own memories are strong in Jack turning Amen corner with a shot, even though he was still far down the leaderboard. The 15th was when it became a true possibility when Jack eagled to reach 7-under and then birdie-birdied 16 and 17. Before Tiger Woods fist pump became a staple of television jacks long left foot stride and putter raise after birdie-ing #17 of the Masters to get to 9 under was what was most replayed by anyone covering golf. The 18th was nerve racking and Nicklaus nearly birdied from over 30 feet. Ballesteros, Kite and Norman all had chances but struggled.
The Masters and Jack Nicklaus are reasons I fell in love with the game of golf. It was a bond my dad and I had since he was a young kid like I was when Jack stormed onto the golf scene. While my bond broke with my dad, they are memories I will forever hold as fond ones with him. Growing up, my dad constantly talked about two golfers, Jack Nicklaus and Ken Venturi. Venturi because of getting free food, golf and other libations when he would find the course as a kid and clame our Ventura spelling was somehow related to "Uncle" Kenny. I have held Jack Nicklaus in high regard since my earliest memories and his last major and still record 18th major on the course he is most famous for playing holding multiple records. His career scoring average at Augusta Nationals is still under 72 which includes him playing up to 2005 at the age of 65 with very little chance at doing more than being a figure head. Jack's bright smile, professional nature and trading punches with the likes of Arnold Palmer and early in his career; Tom Watson, Gary Player, Lee Trevino and even Raymond Floyd during his prime and Seve Ballesteros at the later part of his career, Nicklaus stared down and fought the best competition in golf. He is the best ever and the list of above players is why.
From 1962 to 1980, Jack Nicklaus won 17 major championships. During that span Gary Player won 7 Majors, Lee Trevino won 5 and Tom Watson 4. During that span Jack was known for what he did in the 18th (a fitting number for a legend in a sport that plays 18 holes) and final major Nicklaus stalked his competition, stared them down and took over. He came from behind, he didn't have to have the lead going into Sunday in order to have a shot. On the contrary Tiger Woods run run from 1997 to 2008 saw 14 major championships, but no golfer had more than 3 Major victories during that run for Tiger. Tiger was on pace to unseat Nicklaus and I truly questioned if my idol was going to be considered second fiddle to Tiger during his amazing run from 1999 to 2001 Masters where he had 8 consecutive Top 10 finishes and 5 major victoires but the numbers and data don't lie; Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer ever with apologies to the Walter Hagen lovers out there. It's what lies beneath the major victories that ultimately makes Nicklaus that much greater than Tiger. Tiger remained somewhat competitive after his last major vitory at the 2008 US Open but his 2014, 2015 and DNP 2016 Masters has shown his violent swing( not smooth as silk swing that Jack had) has taken it's toll on Tiger. To do a fair comparison I will take his best run which truly began in 1998 and end it mid 2010 when he finished the Masters and US open in a T-4th to Jack's best timeframe which is difficult to decipher considering during the 1970s spanning 40 tournaments Jack Nicklaus only finished outside the Top 10 5 times!
TIGER WOODS: Masters 1998 to Us Open 2010- In that span Tiger played 48 Majors where Tiger had 33 Top 10 finishes with 13 of those being major victories, 6-2nd places, 27 of those 33 being Top 5 finishes. As said above his run from 1999 US Open to 2001 Masters is astounding but take into account his 2005 Masters run to 2008 US Open Run where he had 12 Top 5 finishes in 14 tries, 6 majors and an additional 4 runner-ups and you can see why Tiger was truly though to be greater than Nicklaus by many that didn't truly know golf history.
JACK NICKLAUS: Masters 1963 to PGA Championship 1975-Jack Nicklaus played 52 Majors (hey I am not going to penalize Jack for Tiger's DNPs) where Jack had 40 Top 10 finishes, also 13 majors, 32 Top 5 finishes, 11 runner-ups. Jack never had a span of 14 major where he won 6 majors but from the 1970 US Open to 1973 PGA Championships, also a 14 major span, Jack had 5 majors and also 12 Top 5 finishes.
In the 23 majors since the 2010 US Open (23rd being this weeks Masters), Tiger Woods has 5 missed cuts, 5 DNPs and only 4 Top 10 finishes. In the 23 majors after Jack Nicklaus finished with a PGA Championship in 1973, he only had one missed cut and one finish outside the Top 10. He amassed 3 additional majors, 16 of those Top 5 finishes. That doesn't include his 1980 Major season where he added majors 16 and 17 to the belt.
It always caused a bit of anger and sadness when people would say move over Jack, Tiger is the greatest of all-times. I get it, people cling to the latest thing and what they have seen, but the numbers have never lied, Jack owns Tiger as the numbers above show and just in general. Jack's run was always far greater than Tiger because he was always in contention. If we compare 40 year old Tiger to 40 year old Jack starting from their first major win we see the following data in majors that makes any of those previous talk of Tiger being the best ever pure humor:
| Tournament | Player | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts |
|
Masters Tournament
|
Woods (1997-2015) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Nicklaus (1962-1980) | 5 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | |
| U.S. Open | Woods (1997-2015) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 14 |
| Nicklaus (1962-1980) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 18 | |
| Open Championship | Woods (1997-2015) | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 14 |
| (British Open to USA) | Nicklaus (1962-1980) | 3 | 6 | 3 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 |
| PGA Championship | Woods (1997-2015) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 14 |
| Nicklaus (1962-1980) | 5 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 17 | |
| Totals | Woods (1997-2015) | 14 | 6 | 4 | 31 | 38 | 54 | 66 | 59 |
| Nicklaus (1962-1980) | 17 | 14 | 8 | 48 | 58 | 67 | 76 | 72 | |
| Difference | 3 | 8 | 4 | 17 | 20 | 13 | 10 | 13 |
The numbers don't lie, while Tiger has slipped more and more, Jack stayed strong. The numbers that are truly staggering in the above are the difference in runner-ups and Top 5s and Top 10s. Jack was more competitive, simple. Yes, the number of golfers at the top of the group is larger today, the simple fact is Jack stayed in contention. Jack's run for The Open Championship may be the most amazing run in a major at golf or maybe any sport. Jack was in the Top 5 for 11 consecutive years, the Top 6 in 16 of 17 years. The closest to that level in golf in the modern era was Jack's 10 years of Top 10 Master's run during the 1970s. I wont' lie, I admired Tiger's grit at The Master's every year since he dominated the field and got his first major in 1997. It's the only major where he is nearly to Jack's level.
Tiger Woods body has broke down and while his 2013 season was strong and earned him Player of the Year honors and a T4 and T6 in majors, the last two years have been a nightmare. Tiger used to be amongst the longest off the tee and while he can still be in the Top 25% his biggest issues lie in greens in regulation and putting. Both have taken deep dives where his average putting has gone up and average greens in regulation continues to decrease in percentage. He can't save his errant drives any longer. Fairways or not, Tiger didn't care, he could save his long tee shot but it has not been the same. Add that to Tiger hitting his 40s and the surge of young guns like Jordan Spieth, Rory McIllroy and unless Tiger can get healthy and find a semblance of his former self, the best we can wish for is Tiger to have that one last run in him. The time between major 14 and 15 for Nicklaus was nearly 3 years and between major 17 and 18 nearly another 6 years. The time from Tiger's last major is still on the clock and already a minimum of 8 years with him missing the 2016 Masters this week. The likelihood Tiger catches Jack's majors has gone from over 50% to probably less than 1%. Tiger has to have a resurgence at an older age with a group of hungry young golfers ahead of him. Tiger's days appear over and as history shows, The Golden Bear is still the greatest to ever tee it up.
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