The problem Gary Player claimed Tiger Woods had in his game which stopped him winning 18 majors

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Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfers to ever pick up a set of clubs but even the very best in the world can be open to criticism at times.

Woods has done it all in the game of golf and has 15 majors to his name, putting him second only to Jack Nicklaus when it comes to those big wins.

Nevertheless, over the years, there have been people who have come out and criticised elements of Woods’ game, not to mention the personal and off-course issues that have affected him.

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Indeed, one man who also knows a thing or two about winning majors is nine-time champion Gary Player.

And speaking back in 2006 about Woods’ game and quest for major success, Player admitted he felt something in the American’s swing was holding him back.

Gary Player’s big problem with Tiger Woods’ golf swing

Tiger Woods has one of the most aggressive and powerful golf swings we’ve seen in the modern era.

When he emerged on the scene, nobody could hit it further and nobody could match him when it came to getting up and down.

However, like most big hitters, wayward tee shots could often creep in and according to Player (speaking in 2006), it was something in Woods’ swing that needed fixing.

“There is so much about him to admire. At 30, Tiger is unquestionably golf’s best athlete. Nobody is as mentally tough. He dresses beautifully. What a smile. Incredible all-around talent. Abundant with class. Superb role model,” Player told The Gainesville Sun.

“I admire Tiger Woods so much, but his errant whacks off the tee are a significant drawback, even if they go 320 yards. At the top of Tiger’s swing, his left wrist is too flat. I didn’t see that mistake when Butch Harmon was coaching Woods. (he has switched to Hank Haney as instructor).

“If Tiger would properly adjust, becoming more like Hogan’s perfection in the ’50s, coming closer to the body on the downswing, Woods would easily surpass the record 18 major championships of Jack Nicklaus. Tiger is a genius, really, to be a runaway No. 1 in the world with such wildness with tee shots.

“There are no doubts about Tiger’s skills, dedication, guts, physical prowess or personal drive.”

Adding further comment at the time of why he was so strict with diet and fitness – something Tiger Woods helped pioneer further – Player admitted it was essential for him.

“Being a little guy, I knew that doing extra hard work was mandatory if I was to keep up with Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Billy Casper, Tom Watson and Lee Trevino. In 2006, it makes me feel terrific that nearly every tour golfer is into significant physical training, with Tiger being the best of examples,” he added.

“I began daily exercising at age nine. Many critics 40 years ago said lifting weights and doing so much gym work was bad for a golfer. Robert Trent Jones, the famous course designer, said that Gary Player wouldn’t last past age 35. But look at me now, and check out the entire golf profession.”

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Why Gary Player felt Tiger Woods ruined his own golf game

Gary Player has always been a big advocate of Tiger but he’s also never been afraid to step in and criticise either.

Like most experienced players from his era, the South African is blunt and to the point.

In fact, Player once directly called out Woods to seeking advice from people who simply couldn’t help.

“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 has 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.”

Quite what Woods would have achieved without injury, swing changes or off-course issues is an open-ended question we’ll never get the answer to.