This past weekend in Woodlands, Texas about 40,000 lucky fans at the Champion’s Tour Insperity Championship got to witness something very special. After Saturday’s tournament round was completed, nine of the game’s most legendary names (playing in three threesomes) teed it up for an 18-hole exhibition scramble. The “Fab Four of Golf” (Palmer, Nicklaus, Player and Trevino) were joined by Miller Barber, Don January, David Graham, Gene Littler, and Dave Stockton. In most likely will be their last time playing competitively together, the team of Palmer, Nicklaus and Player took home the winner’s trophy shooting 11-under par. But, what the “Fab Four of Golf” each had to say about the uncertain future of Tiger Woods was perhaps the day’s most interesting tale.
Obviously, these guys know what they’re talking about when it comes to golf. Collectively, having amassed 464 professional wins worldwide, 188 PGA Tour wins, and 40 majors, when any of these guys speak the world of golf listens! Tiger Woods, 36, sits at 14 majors and has 72 PGA Tour wins (3rd all-time). Following his win earlier this year at Arnie’s Bay Hill Classic (ending a 30-month winless streak), Tiger had his worst performance as a pro at Augusta last month, and missed the cut this past weekend at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte. Every fan of golf has weighed in on the future of Tiger Woods, but here’s what the “Fab Four of Golf” predict for Woods. Basically, Player and Nicklaus believe Woods can get his old game back and even win more majors. Palmer and Trevino aren’t so sure.
“I think he has a lot of talent, a lot of desire”, said the 72-year old Nicklaus. “I think his desire his whole life has been built around breaking my record, and I still think his chances are very good”, believes golf’s “Golden Bear”.
Gary Player, 76, hopes Woods can recapture his game for the good of the Tour. “I think he will come back and play well, and it’s imperative that he does for the Tour because of the TV ratings”, “The Black Knight” said. “He’s very young. Jack won the Masters when he was 46. I won the Masters when I was 42. So we mustn’t become too serious about it. He’s got time on his hands, and I think he can do it.”
“At the current situation, he’s going to have trouble”, said the 82-year old Palmer. “The King” also thinks that Woods’ swing has become too technical and he needs to rely more on his natural ability and knowledge of the game.
The “Merry Mex” was the most revealing and direct in his comments which should really come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever followed the game…..thank God for the old club professional out of El Paso! Trevino, 72, strongly believes that Woods needs to work on his game ALONE, without the advice from a swing coach. “He’s a little confused in the golf swing right now. Tiger is starting to play mechanically, and Tiger was always a feel player”, Trevino said. “What he needs to do is go off by himself, with nobody else, and take it out of the ground. That’s what I did, that’s what these three guys did, and Mr. (Ben) Hogan did it. All of the old pros used to take it out of the ground, there was no instructor, there was no guru, no sports psychologist and all this other stuff”.
There you have it. Golf’s greatest quartet of nicknames has expounded their 302 years of knowledge and wisdom. Frankly, I was hoping for a little more biting commentary from these golfing Gods. Where’s Johnny Miller when you need him? Personally, I believe we have already seen Tiger Woods at his best, and that he’ll NEVER regain what he once had on the golf course. Tiger is way too stubborn and egotistical to change his ways, and will always surround himself with “insiders” just so he can manipulate something and somebody at all times. He’ll probably get a few more wins, but I just don’t think he’ll ever win another major. We’ll enjoy watching him try though!
What do YOU think the future holds for Tiger Woods?
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Woods won his 5th Memorial this weekend charging from 4 strokes back, fittingly tying Jack for all-time PGA Tour wins. His true test however will come in two weeks at Olympic! Like I’ve said, he’s NOT “back” until he wins another major.