Days After Jack Nicklaus’ Bold Claim, Tiger Woods Makes a Major U-Turn on His Rigid Decision

Tiger Woods has had a long road to re-discovering his old form ever since he met with a terrible car accident back in February 2021. Despite his recovery and return to the golf course, the 15-time Major champion‘s recent performances have not been as impressive as they used to be. Injuries have taken their toll and age is catching up with the master. Just hours before the 87th Masters Tournament, Woods provided yet another update about his future plans in the official press conference.

Tiger Woods provides an unexpected timeline for his golf future

Woods (47) has made millions of fans through his unforgettable tournament victories and terrific golfing abilities. The golf legend has enthralled fans with his displays on the golf course right from his T41 finish in 1995. Over the course of his career, he has clinched the Green Jacket five times; the most memorable being his stellar comeback win in 2019. Purely based on that last win, golf fans may be craving more, but the golfer said something that has made all his fans emotional!

During his Masters press conference, the golf ace gave his fans a hard-to-accept glimpse of his future in professional golf. Tiger Woods said, “I just have to be cognizant of how much I can push it. I could hit a lot of shots, but the difficulty for me is going to be the walking going forward! It is what it is. I wish it could be easier. I got three more years where I get a little buggy and be out there with Fred (Couples). But until then, no buggy”.

Notably, the golf star made another statement in his Another Golf Podcast episode, where he said, “I’m a great cart golfer…Not good at the walking part. So, I guess it’s what, three more years, I get to ride the buggy like all those guys out there.” And not just that, even Jack Nicklaus encouraged Tiger Woods to use a cart wherever and whenever possible. As per Nicklaus’ statements about Woods, “He can actually still hit the ball pretty well, he just can’t walk. I told him, I said ‘Tiger you’re eligible to take a cart’”. But the former champion denied it and said, “I’m not going to do that…When I get to the senior tour, I will.”

Nicklaus is not really a great buggy fan himself

Despite encouraging Woods to use a cart, Nicklaus has been extremely against the choice of using one himself. In fact, The Bear was very unhappy when PGA Tour star Casey Martin was allowed to use a cart at the U.S. Open. But, on the contrary, the golfer had to succumb to his own physical state after his hip-replacement surgery back in the day. And during his game at the Senior Players Championship, the golf ace admitted that he wanted to avoid walking and using a buggy instead.

But his statements have always suggested otherwise. “If I had to use it … that’s the rules of that game. Do I want to take a cart? No. I much prefer to walk.” he said during the Martin golf cart lawsuit. “The senior tour is the senior tour — it’s not the walking tour… It’s the walking wounded, that’s what it is.” Not to forget, when Woods denied using a cart, Nicklaus was indeed very proud of the golf legend. “That’s what I love about Tiger, he’s a competitor, he loves competition,” the golden bear said.

Read More: Tiger Woods’ Practice Buddy Reveals a Fun Fact About Legend Ahead of the Masters

When The Bear withdrew from Senior Players Championship, reflecting on how he managed to only aggravate his health concerns, The Bear said, “I did what I wanted to do, which was play the Memorial and the U.S. Open. I got through that, which was my goal. But I didn’t realize that I’d pay a price for that, which I’m paying now.”

Despite his own conditions leading up to his withdrawal and his strong sense of resentment toward using a buggy, Nicklaus concluded, “My position has not changed. I hate them.”

Fast forward to the 87th Masters Tournament, Woods was seen limping and had to call it quits on the third day. Citing a plantar fasciitis injury, Woods had to retreat following a brutal Masters career-first. Owing to cold weather and rain, the golf icon took to Twitter to update his fans.

It will be a while before Woods fans get to witness Woods back on the course. Visit this space for more updates!

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