Tiger Woods and Gary Player (Image via getty).SHARE
Gary Player has made some bold claims about the career of Tiger Woods, one of the greatest golfers of all time. Recently, Player asserted that Woods’ career was “completely ruined” due to his numerous changes in swing coaches over the years.
As two of the most celebrated names in the sport, both Gary Player and Tiger Woods have left an indelible mark on the game of golf. Player, a South African professional, is known for his longevity, fitness advocacy, and nine major championship wins. Woods, on the other hand, is an American golfing legend who has amassed 82 PGA Tour titles, including 15 major victories.
🚨Gary Player says golf swing coaches ruined Tiger Woods’ career.
Do you agree with Gary?
(Via: @Cakalacman)
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 1, 2024
Gary Player’s Perspective on Tiger Woods’ Decisions
In a recent interview with the German KW Golf YouTube channel, Gary Player voiced his opinion on Tiger Woods’ career, stating that Woods had his career “completely ruined.”
“Tiger Woods had his career ruined, completely ruined,” Player said. “He won the 14th major at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He won by 14 shots. Next week, he’s having a lesson from a man who, I don’t know if he played in the Masters, couldn’t break 80, but he’s having a lesson from this guy.”
Player went on to criticize Woods’ choice to seek guidance from another coach who “couldn’t probably break 85 in the Masters with the pressure, or the British Open or the PGA on the final day.”
“Why did Tiger do that?” Player questioned. “He was so good, but I understand he wanted to get better. If he went along and never changed, he would have won a minimum of 22 [majors], maybe more.”
Player believes that if Tiger Woods had simply stuck to his original swing, he would have surpassed Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championships and cemented his status as the greatest athlete of all time, “man or woman on the planet.”
The “What If” of Tiger Woods’ Career
Tiger won his 15th major in 2019 at the Masters, taking home the green jacket for a fifth time. After that, the horrific 2021 car crash set him back.
“Unfortunately, he’s hurt his leg so badly. Whether he’ll win another tournament or not is debatable,” Player noted.
This is not the first time Gary Player has spoken out on the subject. In 2017, Player gave an interview to renowned journalist Graham Bensinger for the show “In Depth With Graham Bensinger,” in which he made claims similar to those he made just six years later.
Despite the setbacks and the changes he made in his game, Tiger Woods remains one of the most legendary golf players out there. His impact on the sport is undeniable, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of golfers. Yet, one can’t help but wonder – what if Woods had made different decisions in his career? What if he had stayed true to his game, as Gary Player suggests? Could he have surpassed Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors? Could he have become the greatest athlete the world has ever seen?
While we may never know the answers to these questions, one thing is clear – Tiger Woods, despite the ups and downs of his career, will always be remembered as a golfing great. His story serves as a reminder that even the greatest athletes are not immune to making mistakes, and that the pursuit of improvement should always be balanced with the wisdom of experience. As we look back on Woods’ career, we can only speculate on the “what ifs,” but we can also appreciate the incredible journey that has made him the legend he is today.
