Daily Archives: June 18, 2011
As Rory McIlroy Roars Ahead at U.S. Open, a Look at Tiger Woods’ Greatest Margins of Victory
Tiger Woods at the 1997 Masters (Getty)
Rory McIlroy will not be denied, well maybe. Day 3 at the 2011 U.S. Open was more of the same. Y.E. Yang still played second fiddle again, but by more, as McIlroy expanded his lead to a strong eight strokes (leaderboard).
It is the second biggest U.S. Open gap going into the Final Round since Tiger Woods carried a 10-stroke chasm into the last day at Pebble Beach in 2000.
Speaking of Woods, here are the largest margins of victory in his pro career.
| Margin | Score | Tournament | Year | Runner(s) Up | Tour | Notes | |
| 1. | 15 | -12 | U.S. Open | 2000 | Ernie Els, Miguel Angel Jimenez | PGA/European | Largest Major Margin Ever |
| 2. | 12 | -18 | Masters | 1997 | Tom Kite | PGA/European | Largest Masters Margin Ever |
| 3. | 11 | -21 | NEC Invitational | 2000 | Justin Leonard, Phillip Price | PGA/European | |
| 3. | 11 | -19 | Bay Hill Invitational | 2003 | Cink, Faxon, Perry, Triplett | PGA | |
| 5. | 8 | -19 | The Open | 2000 | Thomas Bjorn, Ernie Els | PGA/European | Largest Open Margin Ever |
| 5. | 8 | -23 | American Express Championship | 2006 | Ian Poulter, Adam Scott | PGA/European | |
| 5. | 8 | -8 | Bridgestone Invitational | 2007 | Justin Rose, Rory Sabbatini | PGA/European | |
| 5. | 8 | -23 | The Tour Championship | 2007 | Mark Calcavecchia, Zach Johnson | PGA | |
| 5. | 8 | -19 | Buick Invitational | 2008 | Ryuji Imada | PGA | |
| 5. | 8 | -19 | BMW Championship | 2009 | Jim Furyk, Marc Leishman | PGA | |
| 12. | 7 | -17 | Memorial | 2001 | Paul Azinger, Sergio Garcia | PGA |
