How Many Green Jackets Does Tiger Woods Own?
Tiger Woods owns five green jackets, awarded for his Masters Tournament victories in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2019. That total ties him with Jack Nicklaus for the second-most all time (Nicklaus has six). Woods’ collection spans three different decades and includes the most dominant win in Masters history as well as one of the sport’s greatest comebacks.
Tiger Woods’ Masters Wins: Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Year | Score | Margin | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 18-under 270 | 12 strokes | Youngest winner ever (21); largest winning margin in Masters history |
| 2001 | 16-under 272 | 2 strokes | Completed the “Tiger Slam” – fourth consecutive major title |
| 2002 | 12-under 276 | 3 strokes | Second consecutive Masters win; first back-to-back since Nicklaus (1965–66) |
| 2005 | 12-under 276 | Playoff | Famous chip‑in on hole 16; beat Chris DiMarco on the first playoff hole |
| 2019 | 13-under 275 | 1 stroke | 11-year major drought; won at age 43 after back surgery and personal setbacks |
1997 – The Record-Breaking Debut
At 21, Woods shot 18-under 270, a tournament record that stood until 2020. He became the youngest Masters champion and the first to win by double digits. His 12-stroke margin remains the largest in any major championship since 1862. During that week, he led the field in driving distance (323-yard average) and greens in regulation, an athletic display that changed how the game was played.
2001 – The “Tiger Slam” Completion
Coming off wins at the 2000 U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship, Woods added the 2001 Masters to hold all four major titles at once. This wasn’t a calendar-year Grand Slam but the “Tiger Slam,” and it cemented his era of dominance. His final-round 68 included a critical birdie on the 72nd hole to edge David Duval and Phil Mickelson.
2002 – First Back‑to‑Back
Woods successfully defended his Masters title, joining Jack Nicklaus as the only players to achieve back‑to‑back wins at Augusta. At 26, he had already collected seven major championships. His weekend scores of 69-71 were enough to hold off Retief Goosen and a charging Ernie Els.
2005 – The Chip‑In on 16
On the par‑3 16th, his ball rolled onto the fringe, then curved left, paused on the lip, and dropped in. It’s one of the most replayed moments in golf history. He then birdied the first playoff hole to beat Chris DiMarco. That green jacket win was his fourth in nine years and came after a two-year major drought, proving he could still win under pressure.
2019 – The Comeback
After multiple back surgeries, a public scandal, and years without a major win, Woods won the 2019 Masters by one stroke. The gallery’s roar as he walked up the 18th fairway is considered the loudest in Augusta’s history. At 43, he became the second-oldest Masters champion ever. His final-round 70 featured a textbook short-game display, including a crucial up-and-down on the 11th hole.
How Does Woods’ Green Jacket Total Compare?
Jack Nicklaus holds the record with six green jackets (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986). Woods is tied for second with five. Only five other players have won three or more: Arnold Palmer (4), Jimmy Demaret (3), Sam Snead (3), Gary Player (3), and Nick Faldo (3). Woods is the only golfer to win the Masters in three different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s). Nicklaus won his six across three decades as well (1960s, 1970s, 1980s), but Woods’ 12-stroke victory still stands as the largest margin of any winner.
What This Total Means for Woods’ Career and Legacy
Five green jackets places Woods in the top tier of Masters history, second only to Nicklaus. For a golfer evaluating Woods’ achievements, the number underscores his sustained excellence over 22 years between his first and last win. That longevity is unique — no other champion has won in three separate decades. When comparing players, it’s also worth noting that Woods won his green jackets in distinctly different eras: the overpowering rookie, the mid-career closer, and the aging veteran defying expectations.
Common Misconception: Green Jackets vs. Major Championships
It’s easy to confuse Woods’ total green jackets with his overall major count. Woods has 15 major championship wins, but only five of them came at the Masters. The other ten majors include three U.S. Opens, three Open Championships, and four PGA Championships. If you’re comparing players by Masters wins alone, five is correct. But using his green jacket count as a proxy for all majors would understate his career total by 10. Always check the specific tournament when comparing players: Nicklaus has six green jackets but 18 majors, while Woods has five green jackets and 15 majors.
Failure Case: What If You See Different Numbers Online?
Some unofficial sources mistakenly count Woods’ green jackets as six because they include honorary jackets or ceremonial appearances at the Champions Dinner. The correct total for competitive wins is five. Augusta National has awarded a green jacket to every Masters champion since 1949, and the official Masters website lists all winners. If you’re verifying his record for a trivia question or betting reference, always cross-check against the official champion list rather than relying on news articles that might conflate his green jackets with his total major wins. Woods has never won the Masters as a non-champion, so any claim of six is incorrect.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tiger Woods and the Green Jacket
Does Tiger Woods still have his own green jackets?
Yes, each champion keeps his jacket. However, the jacket must be returned to Augusta National during the following year’s tournament for the reigning champion ceremony, and it can only be worn on club grounds.
Who has more green jackets than Tiger Woods?
Only Jack Nicklaus, with six wins. No other golfer has more than five.
Can Tiger Woods win another green jacket?
Technically yes, as a past champion he has a lifetime exemption to play the Masters. But at age 48 (as of 2024) and with a history of injuries, another win would require a remarkable performance. He has not finished in the top 10 at Augusta since 2020.
Has anyone ever won the Masters in four different decades?
No. Woods is the only player to win in three decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s). Jack Nicklaus also won in three decades (1960s, 1970s, 1980s), but no golfer has achieved a fourth decade victory.
Are green jackets awarded only to the winner?
Since 1949, the green jacket has been given exclusively to the Masters champion. Before that, winners received a different blazer. Members of Augusta National also wear green jackets, but those are distinct from the champion’s jacket and are not transferable.
What happens if the winner already owns a green jacket from a previous win?
They receive a new jacket with their name and year embroidered inside. Past champions get a new jacket for each victory, so Woods owns five separate jackets, all stored at Augusta until he retrieves them after each ceremony.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.