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Golf's Greatest Streaks

By Alex Myers

A look back at the best consecutive performances in golf

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Most Consecutive Wins
Perhaps golf's most famous record other than Jack Nicklaus' total of 18 majors, this is the streak that most closely resembles what the Miami Heat just accomplished. In 1945, Byron Nelson won an incredible 11 consecutive events on his way to a staggering 18 titles for the season. For perspective, that's how many PGA Tour wins Nick Price has for his career.
Most Consecutive Major Wins
Bobby Jones is known for being the only man to win the "Grand Slam," winning all four of golf's biggest events in the same calendar year. However, it's Tiger Woods who has come the closest in the modern era, and unlike Jones, all of his majors have come in professional events. Starting with the 2000 U.S. Open -- which he won by 15 shots at Pebble Beach -- and ending with the 2001 Masters (left), Woods won four straight major championships to complete what was dubbed the "Tiger Slam." Woods also happens to share both a birthday (Dec. 30) and a Nike sponsorship with Miami Heat superstar LeBron James.
Most Consecutive Years With At Least One Win
Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer share this mark for both proficiency and longevity. Each were able to notch at least one PGA Tour win in 17 straight years. Palmer's streak ran from 1951-71, while Nicklaus' run lasted from 1962-78. Like Woods, Palmer also shares something with LeBron as both have similar nicknames. Arnie is "The King," while LeBron is "King James." Funny, we don't remember Palmer abdicating his throne. . .
Most Consecutive Years With A USGA Title
Before he began dominating major championships on the professional level, Woods was cleaning up in golf's biggest amateur events. Beginning at age 15, Woods won three straight U.S. Junior Amateur titles before taking on the bigger boys and claiming three straight U.S. Amateurs, culminating with a win at Pumpkin Ridge (left) in 1996. What ended the streak of six years? He decided to turn pro.
Most Consecutive Ryder Cup Matches Without A Loss
Lee Westwood may still be lacking an individual major title, but when it comes to the sport's biggest team event, he's been as good as anyone. Westwood went undefeated in 2004 and 2006 before having his run stopped in 2008. His unbeaten streak of 12 straight matches tied the mark set by Arnold Palmer (The King) long before King James came to rule the NBA.
Most Consecutive Weeks At No. 1
Woods may have just returned to the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking, but he has a long way to go to match his mark of staying in that position for 281 straight weeks, which he did from June 2005 to October 2010). His second-longest streak of 264 weeks isn't too shabby, either.
Most Consecutive Top-10 Finishes At The U.S. Open
World War II and a famous auto accidentmay have served as interruptions, but Hogan still finished in the top 10 in 15 straight national championships that he competed in from 1940-1959. That included a record-tying four U.S. Open titles.
Most Consecutive Cuts Made
Woods lived to play on the weekend in 142 straight PGA Tour events from 1998 to 2005. Ironically, the streak ended at Mr. Streak himself's event, the Byron Nelson Championship. How shocking was it to see this run end? Woods appears like he doesn't know what to do next in this picture as he walks off the 18th green after the second round.
Most Consecutive Cuts At The Masters
Why is Fred Couples such a favorite at Augusta National? A lot of it has to do with the fact he almost always plays well. The 1992 champ made the cut for 23 straight years to tie the record set by Gary Player. His streak may have ended in 2008, but that hasn't kept Freddie from continuing to be a factor at the season's first major, even in his 50s. When it comes to consecutive situps, however, we'll still give fitness enthusiast Player a leg up.
Most Consecutive Sub-Par Rounds
With a first-round 71 at the 2015 ANA Inspiration, Ko tied Annika Sorenstam's mark from 2004 with 29 straight sub-par rounds. Tim Petrovic holds the PGA Tour record with 26 rounds. Making Ko's record even more impressive? She did it at age 17.
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