Woods told injury cost him record - but he still has chance to 'kill everybody'

11 January 2024 , 14:16

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Jack Nicklaus has admitted that the chance for Tiger Woods to break his Majors record may have now passed him by (Image: Stuart Kerr/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus has admitted that he does not envisage Tiger Woods breaking his Major titles record as a result of his catalogue of injuries down the years.

The 48-year-old has enjoyed a glittering career, establishing himself as one of the sport's most decorated figures across nearly three decades. Woods equalled the record for most PGA Tour wins - equal with Sam Snead on 82 - while winning at the Masters on five separate occasions.

However, the American still agonisingly trails compatriot Nicklaus in the overall men's Major championships stakes by three. As things stand, Woods has won 15 honours to Nicklaus' 18 in this respect, with the former's most recent coming in the form of the Masters in 2019.

Since then, the former world No. 1 has struggled to add to his tally, not least due to the impact of his car crash in 2021 on his health. It is worth noting that Woods has won only one Major since 2007, with the star requiring several back surgeries, alongside suffering stress fractures and ACL issues in the interim period.

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Even so, the icon had looked in a strong position to finally take Nicklaus' long-standing record following his most recent win at Augusta but he has been plagued injuries since. Now, the man he has struggled to usurp has reflected on Woods' health woes during the latter years of his career.

Speaking to the Golf Channel, he admitted: "If he remained healthy I think he would’ve gotten it, but he didn’t remain healthy. I feel bad for him," before going on to make a prediction about how his career may look in the future. "I think Tiger will play the senior tour. He’d be able to get in a cart, and he’ll absolutely kill everybody."

Woods made a comeback in 2023 after going under the knife for a subtalar fusion procedure in the hope of rectifying his ankle issues once and for all. He had withdrawn from action at the Masters in April, while also hobbling around the course at Augusta National previous to this.

Jack Nicklaus has admitted he does not see Tiger Woods eventually equalling his record (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

In a wide-ranging conversation, legendary six-time Masters victor Nicklaus also showed he retains the same passion for the game as he had during his glittering career. Addressing the current state of play over the proposed merger between the warring PGA Tour and LIV Golf circuits, he said: "I talked to Jay [Monahan] about three weeks ago.

"I don’t really know where they’re going. I hope that they get this thing together all in the best interest of the game of golf. The LIV thing has been a powerful addition to the game, probably impacted a lot more than we thought it was going to, but it has, and it probably will continue to do so."

He also threw his support behind PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, especially in light of the lack of progress when it comes to a binding agreement to establish a 'for profit entity' as the deadline for a deal was extended. He added: "I know he’s 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."

Tom Beattie