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Who’s More Clutch: Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus?

By Sean Daley

11 Jun 1996: Jack Nicklaus gives a few pointers to Tiger Woods (right) during the practice round of the U.S. Open at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Mandatory Credit: J.D. Cuban/ALLSPORT
11 Jun 1996: Jack Nicklaus gives a few pointers to Tiger Woods (right) during the practice round of the U.S. Open at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Mandatory Credit: J.D. Cuban/ALLSPORT /
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They’re both icons of golf, but when it comes down to one shot on the 18th hole are you taking  Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods? 

Despite the relatively simple objective, staring at a putt on the back nine of a major championship is among the most pressure-filled moments in sports. Because of the malicious blend of physics and mental gymnastics that golf can become when the spotlight shines brightest, it’s, well… hard to put the damn ball in the hole sometimes.

When defining “clutch” in golf terms, the two greatest golfers ever come up first, in Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Golf is a game of clutch shot-making so naturally, the best in the game would be the best under pressure. Many consider Woods the most dominant, but Nicklaus still holds the lead in major victories with 18 in total. It’s a lead that looks insurmountable the older Woods gets, as he currently sits at 15 major victories, and time rapidly running out for him to catch Nicklaus.

In their primes, there never seemed to be an easy victory over these two in a major, especially down the back nine. Together they make up the greatest golfing duo we’ve ever seen, but there can only be one true champion of clutch.

But if you had one hole to win it all, and a choice between golf’s two biggest icons, who are you taking?

Who’s more clutch: Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus?