‘Could See It in His Eyes’: John Daly Once Had the Highest Amount of Respect for Tiger Woods Whilst Comparing Him to Golfing Greats Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan

For decades, golf fans have been well-rehearsed with the fighting spirit of Tiger Woods. His competitive mindset has been a key factor in his 82 professional wins. However, it was only in recent years that Woods’ determination was tested to the fullest. Let’s take a look at when Tiger’s comeback in 2021 received words of appreciation from his good friend and opponent on the course, John Daly.

After years of competing against each other, Woods and Daly finally competed alongside their sons at the 2020 PNC Championship. However, it was the 2021 Father-Son Challenge that left golf fans to reminisce for years to come.

Team Daly outclassed the Woods family to claim the 2021 PNC Championship. Following the successful event, the Wild Thing had some words for his fellow PGA Tour pro, while comparing Tiger to the legends of the game such as Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan. Let’s take a look at what Daly had to say.

John Daly believes in Tiger Woods

Months before the 2021 PNC Championship, Woods was involved in a terrifying car accident in February. It eventually led to the derailing of his 2020-21 PGA Tour season. Nonetheless, the 15-time Major winner made sure to recover by the end of the year to compete at the Father-Son Challenge next to his son, Charlie.

After finishing as a runner-up to Team Daly, Tiger and Charlie impressed the world of golf, including the winners themselves. While appearing at the Fox&Friends days after the win, Daly had some words for Woods’ unrealistic comeback to the sport in less than a year. He compared the 15-time Major winner’s comeback to the one of Ben Hogan.

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John Daly said, “It’s Tiger. You know, it’s like the Ben Hogan accident, I think Ben Hogan came back and won a few majors after that. Luckily, I don’t think Tiger’s was as severe as Ben Hogan’s. Probably didn’t have the technology to fix Ben Hogan’s body like they did Tiger’s”.

On a foggy Texas morning in 1949, Ben Hogan and his wife met with an accident with a 20,000-pound bus. Hogan defended his wife by putting himself ahead of the windshield. The heroic caused the golfer broken left ankle, contusions to his left leg, a broken collarbone, a cracked rib, a double fracture of the pelvis, a head abrasion, and internal injuries.

Further blood cots worsened Hogan’s condition. Nonetheless, 5 years after the horrifying accident, the Hawk would go on to add six more Major trophies to his cabinet. Moreover, he also completed his triple crown season in 1953. Daly believes Woods too has a lot more left in him similar to Hogan.

While saying Tiger Woods was luckier than Ben Hogan, Long John also claimed that his fellow Tour pro would eventually surpass Jack Nicklaus’ legacy.

Woods will outshine Nicklaus’ records, claims Daly

Though there may be hardly any golfer to be compared to the accolades of Tiger in the sport currently, the Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus has always been his closest opponent in the discussion of the greatest golfer. Woods has 9 more PGA Tour wins than Nicklaus, however, he is three Major triumphs fewer than the 82-year-old.

Nonetheless, while talking about Tiger Woods, Daly reiterated his belief that his colleague will takedown Golden Bear’s records in the sport. “He’ll be back, and I could see it in his eyes; he’s probably gonna beat Jack Nicklaus’s records and be the greatest of all time”, said Big John.

It’s great to see John Daly’s respect for his opponent. Though tensions may be running high when players are competing on the field, however, respect must not be diminished. Daly and Woods have proven it by displaying their love and respect for each other time and time again.

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