Archive for the Jack Nicklaus Category


US Open efforts may cost Woods the record, says Harmon

He might only be four majors away from Jack Nicklaus’ record but Tiger Woods may have ruined his chances of overhauling the Golden Bear, according to his former coach. Butch Harmon, who was once Woods’ mentor, said the golfer’s decision to ignore injury and play at June’s US Open could turn out to be a […]

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Australian Open hoping for better days

Jack Nicklaus once called it the fifth major and, indeed, it has a tradition that predates a couple of the true majors of modern times. But the only thing major about the Australian Open these days is its battle to survive. The 104-year-old event used to be among the most prestigious tournaments outside the four […]

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Perry Eyes Ryder Cup After Memorial Victory

Kenny Perry achieved what only Tiger Woods was previously capable of doing when he won his third Memorial tournament. Perry shot a final round of three-under-par 69 for an eight-under total of 280 and a two-stroke victory over the foursome of Jerry Kelly, Justin Rose, Mathew Goggin and Mike Weir. Not only did the veteran […]

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Nicklaus Puts Tiger in a Different Era

Tiger Woods may make an earlier than expected comeback after arthroscopic surgery, with rumours abounding that he would take part in next week’s Memorial, hosted by Jack Nicklaus. Woods underwent surgery soon after April’s US Masters, where he finished second, and said he hoped to return to the PGA Tour in time for the US […]

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Practice Like You Want to Play

I have spent the last few weeks on the road with some of my students at Futures Tour Events in Florida. These were the first events of the season and as expected, I learned a lot about my student’s games. I always say a golfer has four games or swings: They have their practice range […]

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Nicklaus’ Legacy Helps Make Tiger What He Is

With so much talk about Tiger Woods – whether we love him or hate him, whether or not swearing on the fairways is okay because athletes in other sports do it, whether or not he will win the Grand Slam in 2008 – it’s good to sometimes sit back, collect our thoughts and consider why […]

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Does Tiger Deserve To Be That Good?

“Is it not sickening that Woods keeps on winning? Nobody deserves to be that good.” This was the email that greeted me on Monday morning, just hours after Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational by one shot. It was from a good friend of mine, a fellow journalist and a Scot from Edinburgh. This […]

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The Two Best Tournament Courses in The World

Not sure if there is a quantifiable list out there — but I believe hands down — the best tournament golf course in the world is Augusta National. I would rank St. Andrews a distant second — but without a doubt, Augusta National is my number one. I promise it’s not just because it hosts […]

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Tiger Goes Two-For-Two With Dubai Victory

Tiger Woods had chased Ernie Els many times before – and more often than not, would catch him. One of his greatest fightbacks was at the 1998 Johnnie Walker Classic at Thailand’s Blue Canyon when he clawed back eight strokes and finally beat the South African in a play-off. This time it was a bit […]

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2008: The Year of the Tiger?

Another golfing year dawns. And forgive me please for abiding by the calendar year and not the ridiculous European Tour calendar. What’s in store for 2008? A Ryder Cup that, whisper it across this continent, is probably in need of an American win. The plucky underdog tag can only carry Europe so far: another whitewash […]

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Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player — Class Personified

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting both Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player – and let me just say, God is not making golf professionals like them anymore. If you watched the recent Presidents Cup, I don’t need to argue the class of these two individuals – but I thought two anecdotes could share my personal […]

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America Needs Jack Nicklaus

In a previous post, I mentioned that it might be time to do away with the Presidents Cup. After all, with the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, the Americans have a major team event every year. This seems like too much. Especially with the new Fed Ex playoffs, which forces top players to compete every […]

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The Cup that Jack Built

The merits of the Presidents Cup, whether it is a viable event or not, has been the topic of lively debate over the past week. While most observers wish to see it zapped from the international calendar, or at least modified so that it becomes part of a global inter-continental set-up, there is at least […]

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It’s Time To Do Away With The Presidents Cup

Quick show of hands — How many of you are anxiously awaiting the Presidents Cup? Okay, you in the back — put your hand down. What started as a much needed event has turned into overkill. With the Ryder Cup reaching unprecedented heights in popularity – the Presidents Cup seems like the proverbial red-headed step […]

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Another Major Season Ends With A Minor

And so the major season ends for another year. 2007’s big four will be remembered for a variety of reasons. Zach Johnson, Angel Cabrera and Padraig Harrington clinched their first major wins. If they are to be breakthrough wins only time will tell. But at the USPGA it was a return to form. Tiger was […]

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