Jack Nicklaus: “I have nothing bad to say” about Tiger Woods
Jack Nicklaus: “I have nothing bad to say” about Tiger Woods
Living golf legend Jack Nicklaus spoke at Muirfield Village about the best moments of Tiger Woods’ illustrious career.
When choosing the best moment in your illustrious career, where do you start?
At least that was one question posed to the Golden Bear in his annual news conference ahead of the 2024 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
Nicklaus, now 84 years old, had a clear answer in his mind. And it was there, in college, that he met Barbara, his wife and the mother of his five children.
Without that, he believes, he wouldn’t have had the Hall of Fame career that includes 18 major titles and 73 PGA Tour wins. “It set the direction of my career,” Nicklaus said of meeting Barbara, a nursing student.
“Not everyone has the right partner. And I had someone who loved me and cared for me and supported me, and that was really important.
“So that was important to me. I don’t know anything more important than that to me.
“And then of course we have five children, I have 24 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, so we have a few mouths to feed at home. “But it’s all down to her and I think I give her credit for winning because golfers go on tour and they support you whether you’re single, have a family, are a junior or whoever.” So that’s very important to you.

Tiger Woods
Nicklaus believes having someone nearby is essential to the success of others.
Think of Tiger Woods, to whom he passed the baton at Valhalla Golf Club in 2000. Nicklaus, 60 at the time, was playing his last PGA Championship and knew he didn’t have long to live.
He continued, “I don’t mean this in a negative way, but I remember when Tiger was single and Tiger got married, they said, ‘Well, how do you think this is going to affect Tiger’s career?'” ?\’
“And I said, ‘Well, I think it can only be a positive thing.’
“I say he’s going to get tired of going home and telling Butch Harmon, ‘Hey, Butch, I won again.'”
“He had someone to share with. You want to share your career and enjoy the fruits of your labor.”
