Golf and Tiger Woods go hand in hand when it comes to success in the sport but according to Gary Player, things could have been even better for Woods had he not made a few simple errors.
Woods has the joint most wins in PGA Tour history on 82 while his 15 major wins are only surpassed by Jack Nicklaus.
With Woods seemingly stuck on those 15 and injured again, it’s a fair assumption to suggest he will never add to that total before he retires.
Of course, Woods once claimed he’d surpass Nicklaus and ultimately, he has failed in that pursuit.
But according to a past interview from Gary Player – who won nine majors himself – Woods only has himself to blame for not achieving what he could have.
Why Gary Player thinks Tiger Woods cost himself a chance at 22 majors
Looking back at Tiger Woods‘ career now, it’s hard not to think that it’s a case of what might have been, despite the huge successes he’s had.
Yes, some injuries are not his fault but some are down to him pursuing extra in his game, while some are down to silly mistakes off the course which have cost him dearly.
However, besides the injuries, Gary Player once spoke of Woods and suggested that it was Woods’ search of improvement that ultimately cost him his best form.
“Look at Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods had his career ruined, completely ruined. Tiger Woods won 14 majors, then he wins the 14th major at Pebble Beach, the US Open, he won by 15 shots. It’s like running the 100m in seven seconds,” Player said previously.
“The next week he’s having a lesson from a man who if he played in The Masters, I don’t know he could break 80. Then he goes to another guy who couldn’t break 85 in any major. And he’s having lessons from them.
“Why did Tiger do that? He was so good. I know he wanted to get better. But if he’d just gone along, he’d have won 22, maybe even more, and gone down as the greatest athlete we’ve ever seen, man or woman.”
Tiger Woods will look back on his career with regret despite his amazing success
They often say there’s no point in having regrets in life, but surely Tiger Woods will look back when things are said and done think he could have done even more.
There was a point when Woods was almost unbeatable. As Player says here, he won the US Open by 15 shots and to go in search of changes, seems bizarre.
Yes, injuries have troubled him and there are other outside factors that have hindered, but overall, Woods will know he could have surpassed Jack Nicklaus.
For all his brilliant achievements and the form he’s produced over three decades, Tiger Woods will feel he’s not gone quite as far in the game as he might have.
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