Arguably two of the top 10 golfers of all time — Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson — have paid visits to the Denver area in the first two weeks of June, and both told all sorts of interesting stories and expressed noteworthy opinions about various issues in the world of golf.
Between the two of them, they talked about everything from the origin of the Arnold Palmer drink (a mixture of iced tea and lemonade) to the unforgettable chip Watson holed at Pebble Beach en route to his only U.S. Open title.
But it was something Watson said almost in passing on Tuesday evening at the University Club in Denver that particularly piqued my interest — particularly when contrasted with comments Jack Nicklaus made last June in a visit to the Mile High City.
Prior to receiving the Will Nicholson Award for a lifetime of commitment and dedication to the game of golf, Watson stated that he “bluntly can say” that Tiger Woods is the best golfer of all time. And then there was this kicker from Watson: “I think Jack has said that too.”
Now I don’t pretend to know every word Jack Nicklaus has ever uttered, but I’ve never seen Nicklaus quoted saying definitively that Tiger is the best player ever. He certainly — and very recently — has stated that Woods “probably will” surpass the Bear’s record of 18 victories in professional major championships, and that No. 15 could very well come at next week’s U.S. Open. But that’s far different from acknowledging that Tiger is a better player than Nicklaus was in his prime.
Ironically, what immediately came to mind when Watson made his comment about Woods and Nicklaus were extensive remarks Nicklaus made a year ago in Denver, also just prior to receiving the Nicholson Award.
I asked Nicklaus specifically then — just after Woods had won his 14th major, the 2008 U.S. Open — who would win if Woods and Nicklaus met in their primes, with the same equipment. This was his response:
“If I didn’t say me, I wouldn’t be very smart, would I?” Nicklaus said. “If Tiger didn’t say Tiger, he wouldn’t be very smart. That’s the only way you can say it. I think we both have the greatest respect for each other.”
Nicklaus then broke down each facet of the game and who was/is better. He said they were comparable in length, long- and mid-iron games, and in putting. Nicklaus said he was a straighter driver of the ball, and that Woods is a better short-iron and wedge player.
So what would be the result of a prime-time match up?
“I think we’re pretty equal,” Nicklaus said. “But we would both like to think we could win. That’s the way we both walk into tournaments.”
It sounds to me that while Nicklaus believes Woods is a phenomenal player, there’s nothing there to indicate he thinks Tiger is already the clear-cut best of all time. That certainly can change down the line, but it probably will only happen if Woods does indeed surpass Nicklaus’ 18 major titles.
There’s no question Woods is on pace to finish with more impressive numbers than Nicklaus. At 33½ , he owns 14 professional major championships and his 67th PGA Tour victory came at last week’s Memorial, Nicklaus’ tournament. At a comparable age, Nicklaus had won 49 Tour events and 11 pro majors. The Bear finished his career with 73 Tour victories and the 18 professional majors.
However, if Woods never played another tournament, Nicklaus would have the better record. The reason that’s relevant is because no one can ever tell how injuries — or any number of other factors — can affect a career.
For instance, if followers of women’s golf had been asked 3½ years ago who the top female player of all time would end up being, many would have said Annika Sorenstam. And given that Sorenstam had averaged almost nine wins per year in the previous five seasons, there would be good reason to hold that opinion. But circumstances changed substantially in recent years, and now that Sorenstam no longer competes, it’s very debatable who the greatest player in the history of women’s golf is. Sorenstam owned 72 LPGA wins and 10 majors when she stopped competing at age 38. Mickey Wright, to cite one alternate example, didn’t play a full LPGA schedule after her mid-30s, but finished with 82 wins and 13 majors.
Woods may leave no doubt by performing in the rest of his 30s like he has for the last decade. But funny things happen in golf and in life. Some may believe the Tiger vs. Bear debate is over — as Watson does — but declaring a winner seems premature at this point. Let’s let things play out how they will. After all, watching Tiger”˜s pursuit is half the fun.
