Why Tiger Woods May Be Finished

All his life, Tiger Woods has been chasing the number 19. That’s how many major championship wins he needs to top Jack Nicklaus and unequivocally become the greatest golfer of all time. He has just five to go, but as his game falters — he dropped out of the Farmers Insurance Open on Thursday, the 6th tournament he’s failed to complete in eight PGA starts — there’s a bigger, scarier obstacle in his way: His next birthday.

1. He’s Slowing Down

As recently as 2013, Woods was PGA Player of the Year. But an injury-plagued and winless 2014 raised concerns about his future. He parted ways with his coach last fall and things have only gotten worse.

2. He’s Falling Behind

Woods once outpaced Nicklaus’s win rate at the same age. No longer.

3. He’s Approaching the Dreaded Dropoff

If the 39-year-old Woods fails to win a major this year, he’ll need five major championships in his 40s to top Nicklaus. That’s not likely. Almost all golfers’ performance drops precipitously after age 39.

4. He’s in Uncharted Territory

No pro golfer has won more than three majors after turning 40.