Tiger Woods is considered by many as the greatest golfer ever. The 82-time PGA Tour winner is one of the most successful athletes in the history of sports. Despite these achievements, nine-time major champion Gary Player thinks he could have achieved more and dropped a bold claim regarding what “ruined” his career.
Having turned professional in 1996, Woods went to claim his first major championship in 1997 with a dominating win at The Masters. In the next 11 years, Woods would win 13 more major championships and took his total tally to 14. However, after that, the golf great experienced a huge decline.
Personal life issues and injuries proved to a big reason for the downfall of Woods. However, according to Player, Woods’ decision of changing coaches is something that “completely ruined” him.
In an interview with KW Golf, the 88-year-old veteran went on to explain how Tiger Woods, who won the 2008 U.S Open (his 14th major) by a huge margin, started taking lessons from a new coach a week later.
Tiger Woods had his career ruined, completely ruined. He won the 14th major at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He won by 15 shots...The next week, he’s having a lesson from a man who, I don’t know if he played in the Masters, couldn’t break 80, but he’s having a lesson from this guy. And then he goes to another guy who couldn’t probably break 85 in the Masters with the pressure, or the British Open or the PGA on the final day and he’s having lessons from them. Why did Tiger do that? Gary Player on Tiger Woods.
Player, who is one of the five golfers to have achieved a career grand slam, further went to claim that Woods could have easily had 22 or more major wins had he never changed his coaches. Before this, he did admit that he understood the desire of Woods trying to get better.
After his personal battles, Woods rose to the occasion once again in April 2019 and completed a memorable comeback to claim his fifth green jacket and his 15th major championship at the Augusta National.
Gary Player makes impressive chip in shot while playing alongside former USA President Donald Trump
Golf legend Gary Player was recently spotted playing golf alongside former USA President Donald Trump. In a video going viral on X, the South African international could be seen playing a round at the Trump International Golf Club Palm Beach in Florida.
In the video, Player could be seen rolling back the years with an iconic chip in shoot. As soon as the veteran golfer’s ball drop in, everyone present at the scene including Trump were left shocked and congratulated him.
Player was recently seen at The Masters as well along with fellow greats, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson . The three of them kick started the 88th Masters after teeing off as honorary starters.
More must-reads: