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7 Years Before His First Major Title, 14-Year-Old Tiger Woods Made an Unforeseen Comparison With Legend Jack Nicklaus

Published 01/15/2023, 9:30 AM EST

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The former number golfer, Tiger Woods, is just three major championships away from breaking Jack Nicklaus’ record. ‘The Golden Bear’ of golf has the ideal of 15 times major championship winner. And he did not develop respect for him now or after becoming a professional golfer. Since childhood, he has aimed to break the record of the retired legendary golfer.

Even though Nicklaus and Woods have not interacted much, they still hold respect for each other because of their legendary golf skills. 

Let’s find out what little Woods said that might blow your mind.

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Is Tiger Woods better than Jack Nicklaus?

Ten years ago, Trans World Sport posted a video of an exclusive interview with the 14-year-old Tiger Woods. It was evident in the video that little Woods was focused on his goal since childhood. His aim was precise for him. And he believed that he could be better than Nicklaus. If not, for black people, he might be equal to the successful heights of the legendary golfer. He was a teenage boy who knew he could rise to Nicklaus’s level and beat him.

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In the interview, the golf star in the making said, “it might be even bigger than Jack Nicklaus. I might be even bigger than him to the blacks.” His portrayal of self-confidence did not end there. The 82 times PGA tour winner also compared his skills with the basketball legend Michael Jordan. Comparing himself to Jordan, he believed he could reach an equal level to Jordan, but in golf. The teenage Woods said, “I maybe it so like a Michael Jordan basketball, yes.”

The conversation was if the world was ready to accept a non-conventional golfer. To which Woods’ father, the late Earl Woods, said that the world was prepared for his son. The sports industry was ready to have Woods as a great golfer. He said, “the world is ready; it is absolutely ready for a non-white golfer to be successful; the next booming area in the world for golf is Asia Tiger.” He was right, and we cannot deny that. The moment he became a professional in 1996, Woods was able to attract much attention. And his first Masters win in 1997 was another stamp on Woods’ father’s words.

Who would they pick?

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It is a long debate in golf, and we found some clarity in 2008. It has always been hard to pick one between Woods and Nicklaus. However, the legends were asked the same question, and getting over the dilemma; their response deserves your keen attention. When the pro golfer was asked about his pick, he said, “Me. He is the greatest of all time, but you have to believe in yourself.” It portrayed the confidence Woods had in himself.

via Imago

They asked the Golden Bear of golf the same question, and his response was equally interesting. He said that he would say the same thing as Woods. Self-confidence is essential, and we need to believe in ourselves. He said, “If we didn’t believe in ourselves, then we wouldn’t be thinking much about how good we were or had much self-confidence.”

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Watch this story- Tiger Woods Father Earl Woods Once Got Emotional While Expressing Pride for His Son’s Impact in the World

Whom would you pick if you had to? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Saumya Yashawant

943Articles

One take at a time

A Commerce graduate who turned her passion into her profession, Saumya is a Golf writer at Essentially Sports. Having developed the love for the sport at a very young age, she watched Tiger Woods and caught inspiration from his legacy early on. Apart from Woods, she shares great admiration for her country's players like Vishwanathan Anand and Neeraj Chopra.
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Edited by:

Manaal Siddiqui

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