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Nicklaus’ latest segment on Golf Central saw him discuss Tiger Woods’ past and future in professional golf.
During Golf Central Wednesday, Rich Lerner welcomed 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus and had an insightful conversation.
Nicklaus had plenty to say, detailing his career, where things stand with LIV Golf and Tiger Woods. But it was his comments on Woods that truly stood out.
“I think Tiger will play the senior tournament [Tour Champions],” Nicklaus said. “He’d be able to get in a cart, and he’ll absolutely kill everybody. He’s a talented guy, a great worker, got a great work ethic. Loves to play golf. I know he’s concentrating on his son Charlie a lot right now, rightfully so. I think the father-son relationship is terrific, and I’m happy for Tiger with that.”
Nicklaus noted that regardless of injuries, Woods is incredibly competitive. Just look at the recent viral video with Woods and the Fore Play Pod.
If he is physically able, then he will fight for whatever tournament he enters.
“I think Tiger’s capable of doing anything he ever wants to do — always has been,” Nicklaus said. “I feel bad that he can’t walk like he wants to, but I know he’s hitting the ball well and playing well.”
The 84-year-old loved that Woods also joined the policy board because of his influence in golf.
“His coming to be on the policy board and be part of the direction of the game going forward — it’s a great addition… He’s got a great insight of where it goes and where it should go,” Nicklaus said. “I’m fully supportive of anything I see Tiger do.”
The conversation turned to the Golden Bear’s major championship record. Nicklaus won 18 major titles during his illustrious career. Woods is three back but Nicklaus shot down the notion of him being caught.
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“If he remained healthy, I think he would’ve got it, but he didn’t remain healthy,” Nicklaus said. “I feel bad for him about it. He’s still a great influence in the game of golf… Even when he’s trying to break my record, I tell him, ‘Tiger, no one wants their records to be broken, but I want you not to be broken.’”
Lerner was one of the people who thought Woods would have 25 majors and 100 PGA Tour wins, but injuries prevented that from happening.
“He’s had a relatively good career,” Nicklaus said with a sly grin. He went on to say that the record is not likely to be broken anytime soon.
The duo also discussed the current state of golf and how LIV is changing the game.
“The LIV thing has been a powerful addition to the game,” he said. “Probably impacted a lot more than we thought it was going to, but it has, and it’ll probably continue to be so. The Tour has got to figure it out and the best interest of the game.”
Despite a lot of pushback from fans and players towards PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, Nicklaus isn’t worried about the leadership.
“I know Jay has taken a beating, but I’ve always been in full support of Jay. Everything Jay’s done has been in the best interest of golf and the Tour, so I still support him there,” Nicklaus said. “We will see what happens. The proof will be in the pudding, which is what I said six months ago when they announced it, but we haven’t seen the pudding yet.”
Despite being over 80 years old, Nicklaus is still one of the most powerful voices in the game.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
