Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are two of the all-time greats, but who boasts the better career?
Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods at the 150th Open Championship. (Image: Getty)
It’s the golf debate that can never be settled, but Gary Player hasn’t been afraid to weigh in. The South African, himself a nine-time major champion and icon of the game, has previously had his say on which icon deserves the ‘GOAT’ title for being the greatest player of all time.
For many, only two names are in the mix, and neither needs any introduction.
Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, both dominant figures in their own respective eras, have 22 major titles between them and a combined total of 155 PGA Tour wins.
Dissecting those numbers further, it’s ‘The Golden Bear’ who leads the way in the major statistics, with 18 to the 15 won by Woods. Despite the latter still being intent on raging against the dying light of his career, it’s highly unlikely the gap will be breached further before he eventually does walk away.
In PGA Tour titles it’s Woods out in front at 82 to 73. But while Player, now 88, has argued that it’s impossible to crown a clear winner given how vastly the professional game has changed, he’s also insisted there should be more than just two names in the frame.
Speaking last year, the South African outlined the four players he deemed worthy of being in the debate, notably leaving out himself. And in fifth place for him was Bobby Jones, who won seven major titles between 1923 and 1930 and who Player said “played with a walking stick as a shaft” and a “ball that went 80 yards less.”
Gary Player has had his say on the GOAT debate. (Image: Getty)
Ben Hogan won nine major championships, and Player rated him fourth as “the best player I ever saw from tee to green.” Adding that Hogan’s style was seamless, he said the Texas native would “turn over in his grave if he saw what some of the pros are teaching now on the backswing.”
And when it came to the crunch, and picking his No.1 between Nicklaus, 84, and Woods, Player appeared to favour the man with whom he endured many famous battles with on the course. “So I’d have to say Jack Nicklaus,” he added.
Implying Woods could have achieved more, he added: “After that I think Tiger Woods. He was unfortunate. His knees and his back and his car accident. What would happen if that never happened? There’s the ‘if’ I guess.”
Both Nicklaus and Woods have found common ground in recent years, given both have turned down a multi-million opportunity to be the face of LIV Golf. And in June, the World Golf Hall of Fame inductee expressed his desire to see the best players in the world brought back together.
Pressed on whether he thought a merger was possible, Nicklaus said: “I think it would be better if they all played together more often. I do think that. But, you know, that’s above my pay grade, I think, to really answer that 100 per cent because I don’t know all the ramifications of it.”
