Capelle On Golf

The PGA Tour likes to plaster their Tour Victories graphic on their telecasts like it is supposed to be some big deal. It’s easy to see why – they are in the PGA Tour tournament business. But, as we all know, a player’s record in the majors, which they have nothing to do with, is the true measure of a player’s greatness over time.

Perhaps the biggest farce in golf is comparing Tour Victories of players in the Modern Era (1958+) with those who came before. There have been so many changes that anyone who looks just an inch beneath the surface can see this is an apples to oranges comparison at best. In fact, it might be more like apples to donuts.

Competition
Hogan’s competition came from a few great players in fields that were otherwise very thin. He lost playoffs in the Masters to Byron Nelson and Sam Snead and finished second in another 42 tour events.
Woods’ competition comes from a big group of mediocre players who are known for collapsing down the stretch.

Opportunity
Hogan was deprived of so many starts thanks to his car accident, WWII, and the difficulties of travel. For example, Hogan only played in one British Open, which he won. In addition, he got off to a much slower start than Woods due in large part to the Depression and the lack of the many advantages that Woods has enjoyed throughout his career.
The Game
Hogan played with clubs, balls, and course conditions (especially the greens) that made the game much more difficult.
Woods plays a version of high tech golf that has no limts thanks to advancements in equipment and agronomy.

Composition of Tour Titles
Hogan’s total includes five team titles, which are counted in a player’s career total even though golf is an individual sport. His victories must also include a bunch of events played over fewer than 72 holes. Here’s why: He missed one cut, played in 294 events that totaled 705 rounds, an average of only 2.40 rounds per tournament!
Woods schedule is packed with small field, easier to win events. The advent of the WGC events has proven to be a bonanza for his tour victory count.

The differences above point to one inescapable conclusion: if either Hogan or Woods were transported by a time machine into the other’s era, their victory totals would assuredly be a lot different.

Hogan in today’s world would have been traveling by private jet and never suffered that horrible accident. And Woods, playing on greens with Stimpmeter readings of 4-5 would not have been draining the cup from all over with his short, robot like stroke.

64 Hogan Era Wins Not the Same as 64 Woods Era Wins
A number of astute observers say that it is difficult, if not impossible, to compare players from different eras. And they are right – which is why reducing Hogan vs. Woods down to a single number is downright ridiculous.

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