It will be devastating for Tiger to realise he’s no longer superhuman
Tiger Woods will find it devastating to go from feeling superhuman to simply being ordinary, Ryder Cup legend Tony Jacklin tells TONY JIMENEZ. As the WGC event at Jacklin’s Concession course in Florida - named for the iconic Ryder Cup moment he shared with Jack Nicklaus - heads to a conclusion this weekend, Jacklin offers his thoughts on Tiger and the Golden Bear.
Q AFTER HIS CAR CRASH, WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR TIGER WOODS?
A He is going to lose two years of a great career trying to recover from his injuries. He’s 45 now and it will be miraculous if he can stage another comeback at 47. When you’ve been as good as he’s been for so long, it will be difficult for him to get accustomed to being relatively ordinary. It must be devastating for him to realise he’s just as human as everyone else now. When you’re out there performing great deeds – and I had this for a brief time when I followed up my 1969 Open victory by winning the 1970 US Open – you think you’re superhuman, . You never think life is going to be any different but of course, for all of us, it eventually takes its toll. But if there is someone in sport who has taught us never to write anyone off, it is Tiger. Winning the 2019 Masters, ending an 11-year wait for a 15th Major, was incredible.
Q HOW DID TIGER’S ACHIEVEMENT AT AUGUSTA COMPARE TO THE MIRACLE AT MERION – BEN HOGAN’S REMARKABLE FEAT IN WINNING THE 1950 US OPEN AFTER HE, TOO, WAS INVOLVED IN A DREADFUL CAR CRASH?
A People tend to forget what Hogan did and his accomplishment at Merion was, at the least, equivalent to what Tiger did at Augusta. It’s all about maintaining that innate desire that turned you into a ‘great’. The longstanding back problems that Tiger has had will turn out to be a bigger issue than his legs.
Q CAN YOU SUM UP TIGER’S IMPACT ON GOLF?
A He’s let himself down occasionally but you need to forget about his private life. No human is perfect. What he’s done for golf, for black people, minorities, young people, is exceptional. Nobody has promoted golf to the youth the way Tiger has. I loved Arnold Palmer but kids never got involved during his golden era in the Fifties and Sixties the way they have done with Tiger. The elite are playing for 80 to 100 times more money than before. We played for $100,000 but this week in the WGC event at the Concession here in Florida, the purse is $10million. You know who that is largely down to? Tiger. My family and I are massive fans – my wife Astrid will wear red as a show of support at the Concession.
Q THIS MUST BE A SPECIAL WEEK FOR THE JACKLIN FAMILY?
A Yes it is. The Concession was my brainchild. Back in 2001, I had enough of playing the Seniors Tour and was searching for something. I knew Jack Nicklaus was vying to design a new course close to where we live in Florida and it came to me suddenly when I woke up at three one morning. That’s when I got the idea for the Concession – a venue to commemorate that historic moment when Jack conceded my two-foot putt at Royal Birkdale in 1969, left, and ensured the Ryder Cup finished in a 16-16 tie.
Q IS THIS THE ONLY COURSE THAT’S BEEN BUILT TO COMMEMORATE A MOMENT IN GOLFING HISTORY?
A It is as far as I’m aware. Jack has always been great about it. We eventually co-designed it but, whenever he is asked who the idea came from, he makes sure everyone understands it was my original concept.
Q HOW TOUGH A COURSE IS IT?
A Very demanding. I took the owner Bruce Cassidy to play at Augusta once. I asked him: ‘What do you think?’ His reply was: ‘It doesn’t come close to the Concession, does it?’ It will have broken the hearts of many players by this weekend, so much so they might rename it the Concussion. One day we hope to host a Major.
Q I don’t suppose you’ll ever forget that extraordinary act of generosity by Jack?
A That moment will live with me forever. Jack and I have been friends for 50 years. It was a shock when he conceded that putt but it was a wonderful example of what golf means to so many. He turned round, held out his hand and told me, ‘I don’t think you would have missed but, in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity’. It was a magical moment. The beauty of it is that generosity has led to the Ryder Cup being played – apart from one or two exceptions – in the spirit of true sportsmanship ever since.