One of it was
Nicklaus’ intensity level. He opines that Nicklaus’ intensity level never shook
whether he was playing at 65 or at 74. This was a whip hand in winning the games.
Secondly, Tiger adores Nicklaus’ ability to make the putt, where
many other golfers fail in final rounds. The third and the most impressive to Tiger is a
series of consecutive wins. Nicklaus has not only won many tournaments, but has won them
repeatedly. With an incredible record of 17 PGA wins for straight 17 years, "Chasing
Jack isn’t easy," says Tiger and above all he has a daunting graph of 18 Majors
to his credit.
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Fame has not left him lose his humbleness yet. One of the most important things a person can learn from Nicklaus is one can’t master everything but certainly can utilize the opportunities. Nicklaus himself was neither the purest hitter, nor the most elegant swinger, but he knew the importance of all – how to win, how to get it done. Surely, he is one of the best articulators on the game. Nicklaus once revealed to Tiger that a champion does not have to be a master of every trick of the game but instead, should know how to utilize the opportunities. The champions of the two-century, Nicklaus and Tiger, were together at Oakland Hills in a practice round for 1996 US Open. Nicklaus gave a couple of tips to Tiger and it was the day, reveals Tiger : |
"He could identify with me as a player and as a person !" The other quality of Nicklaus, as per Tiger is his stability. "Jack is not only the greatest player," says Tiger "but he’s a true champion…I only hope that one day I’ll be eye-level to him in accomplishments. That would be tall enough."
Bear Abdicating for Tiger
"…if you try your best, and
somebody plays better, you tip your hat to him. Which is what I would do to Tiger…if
he breaks my records." These are the words of a Senior for a Junior. ‘I had my
century,’ says Nicklaus "Tiger can have the 21st. I know I won’t
be the greatest golfer of this century." Jack is proud to see a kid, he had
complimented once for his swing, tuning his career to a full swing. Nicklaus, sure of his
abilities says : "He’s no fly-by-night golfer." Generous Nicklaus has
always helped Tiger whenever he approached him. He gives Tiger the tips to make his way
easy onto the top. Nicklaus says that Tiger needs to consider two ifs – If he stays
healthy, in shape and unhurt then it would not be hard for him to accomplish it.
A quality of Tiger, the Bear appreciates while comparing himself with
Tiger at his age is that the ‘great kid’ (Tiger) has no weakness as he had.
Today, the newcomers are working in all aspects while Jack thought few were enough to start
with. Nicklaus is sure that Tiger Woods will take the golf course to a
new height and give a different dimension to the game.
The only thing Nicklaus finds missing today is the lack of genuine
players making it to the forefront. In his days there were many like Lee Trevino, Tom
Watson, Johnny Miller, Arnold Palmer and even Ben Crenshav and Tom Weiskoph. If not all
together, there was at least one who would challenge you.
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