Why Did He Do That?” – Gary Player Shares Controversial Opinion on Tiger Woods’ Career

“Why Did He Do That?” – Gary Player Shares Controversial Opinion on Tiger Woods’ Career

Gary Player has sparked debate with his opinion on Tiger Woods’ career, suggesting that the legendary golfer did not reach his full potential despite his 14 major wins. Player believes Woods should have surpassed 20 major victories by now.

Player’s Critique on Coaching Decisions

The South African multi-major winner contends that Woods’ reliance on coaches who were merely average players stunted his momentum and contributed to a decline in his performance. According to Player, Woods’ decision to seek guidance from these coaches was a significant mistake, given the state of his game at the time.

The Peak of Woods’ Powers: 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach

 

Player highlights the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach as the pinnacle of Woods’ career, where Woods won by an astonishing 15 shots. “You know what that’s like? It’s like running the 100 meters in seven seconds,” Player remarked. He believes that at this point, Woods had no reason to alter his game.

The Downside of Tweaking a Winning Formula

Player argues that Woods’ attempts to tweak his game led to an early decline from his peak. He criticizes Woods for taking lessons from coaches he deemed unqualified to handle the pressure of major tournaments. “Why did Tiger do that? He was so good, but I understand he wanted to get better,” Player said. He insists that if Woods had maintained his original approach, he would have easily won at least 22 majors and cemented his legacy as the greatest athlete in history.

Woods’ Early Dominance and Career Challenges

Woods turned professional in 1996 at the age of 20, following an outstanding junior, collegiate, and amateur career. By April 1997, he had won his first major, the Masters, by 12 shots and claimed three PGA Tour titles. In June 1997, Woods became the world’s number one golfer, just over a year after turning pro.

From August 1999 to September 2004, and from June 2005 to October 2010, Woods dominated the golfing world, securing 13 majors during these periods. However, personal issues and injuries plagued Woods’ subsequent career, and while he added another major with his fifth Masters win in 2019, he has not returned to the dominant form of his early years.

A Legacy Still Unmatched

Despite the setbacks, Woods remains one of the greatest golfers of all time and a legendary figure in modern sports. Yet, Player’s opinion underscores a poignant “what if” scenario that tantalizes the imagination of golf fans worldwide.