‘Very Discriminatory’: Despite Their Sympathy, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods Share a Similar Hatred About a Highly Debated Issue in Golf

Like any other sport in the world, golf fans are largely divided based on who they think is the Greatest of All Time. Some claim Tiger Woods is the best golfer to step foot on the course, while others suggest Jack Nicklaus is the G.O.A.T. Though the fans may differ in their mindset, both legends of the game have a common school of thought when it comes to using a cart in the course.

Woods and Nicklaus have two of the most decorated careers in golf. With more than 30 Majors combined among the duo, the G.O.A.T.s of the sport have a lot in common apart from their similar feats in the sport. One identical thought includes their take on using a golf cart in professional tournaments.

Tiger would ‘never’ use a golf cart

Last month, Woods’ return to Hero World Challenge grew massive excitement around the world. However, the elation was short-lived when the 15-time Major winner announced his withdrawal from the event due to an injury in his right foot. Nonetheless, he did spare some time talking to the media before the tournament began.

Deeming to his injury, one reporter asked if he would ever use a golf cart. “On the PGA Tour, no”, replied Tiger. However, the Hall of Famer wouldn’t mind using a cart in the sanctioned events. He added, “On the sanctioned events where it’s allowed? Yes. Which is the Champions Tour, the PNC, things of that nature”.

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Tiger Woods then talked about the Casey Martin case which occurred back in 1998. Martin was a PGA Tour player and had asked the PGA Tour for a cart due to the Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome in his right leg, which restrains him from walking. After being rejected, Casey Martin then sued the Tour under the Americans with Disabilities Act for the right to use a golf cart during the tournament.

The US Supreme Court ruled in the favor of the golfer after three years of the court battle. However, Woods wasn’t pleased with Casey Martin as he revealed, “What he did with the ADA, I voted against it”. The 15-time Major winner further added how walking is an “integral part of the game”. He ended by reiterating about never using a cart in the PGA Tour events.

Tiger’s words and thoughts about the usage of carts in professional events are very much similar to Jack Nicklaus’. Ahead of competing at the Seniors Skins game in 1998, the Golden Bear talked about the Casey Martin situation.

Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have similar hatred for golf carts

While promoting his 1998 Senior golf game during which he was set to face Hale Irwin, Raymond Floyd, and Arnold Palmer, Nicklaus was asked about the then-ongoing feud between Casey Martin and PGA Tour.

Though the 18-time Major winner had sympathy towards Martin, he also shared his distress with him. “I am concerned for Casey Martin; however, I very much believe that to play the sport, you have to have the physical part of it, too,” said the 82-year-old.

Similar to Tiger, Jack Nicklaus also claimed to never use a golf cart in the PGA Tour events. He said, “I am not going to ride a cart, nor have I ridden a cart on the Senior Tour yet”. In the end, the Hall of Famer had some harsh final words towards Casey Martin.

“It is very discriminatory against Casey at this point, but it would be very discriminatory against all the other players. I have a lot of sympathy for Casey. Unfortunately, I am going to have to go the other way”, he ended. Despite the GOATs of the sport against him, Martin still claimed a win on the court.

However, the moment depicted how identical Tiger Woods is to Jack Nicklaus. Both men have won similar trophies while having an identical mindset. Perhaps the fans must begin the find more similarities along the golfing giants, instead of constantly comparing them.

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