Amid uncertainty surrounding Tiger Woods’s Masters appearance and whether he’ll break the record for consecutive cuts, the Augusta showdown will be enthralling! To do any one of the two, the 48-year-old must complete all four rounds. Nevertheless, following the delay prompted by adverse weather conditions, there is already notable concern that the GOAT’s surgically repaired leg could pose some challenges and he may withdraw untimely. With so much at stake for Woods, many people are sharing their thoughts about him, and the latest one to do so is the Golden Bear!
Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion, expressed his thoughts on Woods’ chances of winning. While somewhat diminishing Woods, the 83-year-old stated, “He’s got a tough way to go to win. I certainly think he’ll hit the ball well enough to do so, but the physicality of walking [is a challenge].”
While this isn’t the first instance of the senior golfer making similar statements about the GOAT’s capabilities, as he has previously expressed similar thoughts about Woods on Golf Channel, “If he remained healthy, I think he would’ve gotten it, but he didn’t remain healthy,” Nicklaus remarked when questioned about the likelihood of the 48-year-old breaking his record of 18 major wins. The 18-time major winner also believes that Woods has “a great influence on the game of golf.”
Tiger Woods also respects Nicklaus and has often spoken about his accolades in the past. He praised the Golden Bear’s golfing prowess and held him highly for his stellar course designs. The veteran golfer might have critically acclaimed Woods for his game on the greens, but the two seem to share a pretty good relationship away from the course.
The Golden Bear gets “along fine with Tiger” and also seems to have a liking for the second-highest major winner. Additionally, whenever they encounter each other, they seem to engage in friendly banter. Woods is now on the hunt to beat Nicklaus’s record to become the oldest major winner in history.
Upon Woods’ relocation from Orlando to West Palm Beach, the 48-year-old chose to join the Medalist Golf Club instead of Nicklaus Bear’s Club. Still, this didn’t seem to change the connection between them; Woods had his justification for not becoming part of the club. “He stayed away from it,” the Golden Bear said. “He didn’t want to intrude where I was.”
They both seem to have a healthy bond, but simultaneously, they also demonstrate a serious approach to the game. That said, as the Masters tournament unfolds, many surprises could surely emerge. Stay tuned to find out what unravels at the 88th Augusta showdown!
