With 2023 upon us, here’s a few interesting golf-related things involving Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus
The golf year of 2022 is soon to be behind us.
And quite a year it was.
Scottie Scheffler went from “the best golfer without a win” to four wins in six starts, including a major
There were some amazing stories on the LPGA, which included a dominant return to form by Lydia Ko.
Stepping back from the on-course play was the shadow cast over the game by LIV Golf and its continued insurgence on the landscape. This battle is just beginning to brew and who knows what the year will bring.
With 2023 now staring us square in the face, there will be some changes to the Rules of Golf to pay attention to. There will also be a good number of things that we’ll look forward to seeing on the PGA Tour as well as the LPGA.
With the number 23 in mind, here’s a look at a few historical marks pertaining to that number as we head into a new year.
23: Career wins for Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy holds the trophy after winning the 2022 CJ Cup in South Carolina in Ridgeland, South Carolina. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
His first PGA Tour win came at the 2010 Quail Hollow Championship. His most recent—and 23rd—was a little more than two months ago at the CJ Cup in South Carolina.
McIlroy is solo 28th on the all-time Tour wins list. His next victory will tie him with Dustin Johnson and Gary Player.
If (or, rather, when) he gets to No. 25, he’ll join Tommy Armour, Johnny Miller and Macdonald Smith.
23: Years between Masters wins
Jack Nicklaus’ remarkable victory at the 1986 Masters made him the oldest man to ever win the Masters at 46 years, 2 months and 23 days old. (Augusta National/Getty Images)
Jack Nicklaus first won the Masters Tournament in 1963. In 1986, at the age of 46, he won the Green Jacket for the sixth time, 23 years after he was fitted for his first.
It’s the longest such stretch at a men’s major. Sam Snead has the record for longest time between wins at the same event; he went 27 years at the Greater Greensboro Open.
23: Youngest to win three majors
Jack Nicklaus holds up the Wanamaker trophy after winning the 1963 PGA Championship in Dallas.
When Jack Nicklaus won the 1963 PGA Championship at 23 years, 6 months, 1 day, he set the mark—and still holds it to this day—as the youngest to win three men’s majors.
Fifty-two years later, Jordan Spieth (23 years, 11 months, 26 days) won his third major at the age of 23.
They’re the only two to do it at that young of an age.
23: Youngest to win 10 tournaments
Tiger Woods celebrates his second title (and 10th overall) at the 1999 Motorola Western Open at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club near in Chicago. (Photo: Jay G. Carraway/Liaison)
In 1999, Tiger Woods won the Motorola Western Open for a second time, marking his 10th PGA Tour win. He was 23 at the time and became the youngest to reach the 10-win plateau.
In 2017, Jordan Spieth was 23 when matched him at the 2017 Travelers Championship.
23: Career money
Annika Sorestam poses with the trophy after winning the 2002 Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills C.C. in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo: Scott Halleran /Getty Images)
OK, we’re rounding up here but Annika Sorenstam, the all-time leading money winner on the LPGA, has banked nearly $23 million during her playing career. She has $22,583,693 to be exact but now that she’s dabbling in events once again, maybe she’ll earn enough to officially surpass the $23 million mark.
