Bryson DeChambeau has had his say in the golfing GOAT debate, with the LIV Golf star ranking Tiger Woods ahead of Jack Nicklaus, despite the two having very different legacies
The great debate of who holds the title of golf’s greatest-ever player has reached Bryson DeChambeau, ranking 82-time PGA Tour winner Tiger Woods ahead of 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus.
For some time, golf fans and players have grappled with the question, often ending in split between Nicklaus and Woods, having both announced themselves as true greats of the game. Nicklaus’ argument lies with his record-breaking major record, having won a whopping 18 flagship titles during his time as a player
Woods’ success meanwhile lies with his incredible PGA Tour, as despite sitting three major crowns behind Nicklaus on 15, he does hold the record for most victories on the PGA Tour in 82 alongside the great Sam Snead.
Adding a fresh voice to the ‘Woods or Nicklaus?’ question, DeChambeau had his say, as the LIV star towards Woods during a social media video for the breakaway league. the Crushers’ captain’s claim whilst he was quizzed on some of the best to ever play the game, ranking a different player against his last answer.
Having ranked Nicklaus above Byron Nelson, the next name on the list was Woods. Cracking a smile and letting out a chuckle, he decided: “It has got to be Tiger! ” This response led naturally onto, “Tiger Woods or Bryson DeChambeau?” but remain modest and again sided with Woods.
Like many other stars of his generation, DeChambeau has previously hailed Woods as a hero, having grown up watching the Tour stalwart in his prime. Following his U.S. Open triumph at Pinehurst in June, the LIV star commended both Woods and late Payne Stewart, expressing: “Tiger is an idol of mine.”
Bryson DeChambeau joined the great debate
He added: “He’s my hero still. And the way he reacted on the golf course; Payne (Stewart), the way he did, and numerous others that have inspired generations… have allowed that to be unique and cool. …I’m just passionate. I really care about doing well out here and showing the fans a side of me that was locked up for so long,”.
In recent years though, DeChambeau admitted his relationship with Woods had soured following the fallout between the PGA Tour and LIV. Despite the heated disagreement, the two-time major winner shared that his idol eventually extended an olive branch weeks after his victory in North Carolina at The Open Championship.
“It is the first communication, but I’ll say he’s a competitor and I have a lot of respect for him,” DeChambeau said at Royal Troon in July. “I’m sure that winning two U.S. Opens definitely helped, I guess, for him coming up and saying congrats. I don’t know what his position is, but it was very thoughtful, and I was appreciative of it.”
