For years, golf fans have been arguing about who’s the best, Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods. Some say Nicklaus’s 18 major wins make him the greatest, while others think Woods’s amazing skills and comeback story put him on top. This debate has been going on for so long that it’s just a normal part of talking about golf. Well, it seems like the veteran himself has weighed in on the matter, and well, he does make some pretty good points.

In the latest episode of 5 Clubs on YouTube, Nicklaus revealed why Woods will never come to his level. “Never had an injury the whole time I played,” Nicklaus said. However, he did mention one notable exception which was a hip injury that caught up with him towards the end of his career. “I had my hip problem, but that didn’t really get me until near the end of my career when I was 58 or 59 years old,” Nicklaus recalled.

He credits his diverse lifestyle, which included spending time with family and staying active, for keeping him fresh and ready to play. “I really thought that the diversity kept my mind fresh,” he noted. Nicklaus acknowledged the importance of good health in a golfer’s career, saying “Having the good health and the good fortune to be able to play in every single one of them” is crucial. He believes that his own good health was a key factor in his ability to play in every major championship from 1962 to 1998, a feat he doubts will ever be matched. “I was very fortunate that I kept myself in shape to be able to do that,” Nicklaus added and well, Woods’s career has been quite the opposite and marred with injuries and surgeries.

Woods has undergone multiple surgeries on his back, ankle, and knee, including a recent microdecompression surgery on his lumbar spine in 2024. In 2021, Woods suffered devastating injuries in a car crash, including comminuted open fractures to his upper and lower right leg, as well as significant trauma to his right ankle. He also ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2007. These injuries have undoubtedly taken a toll on Woods’s career or as the veteran puts it, “You can’t play golf if you’re not healthy.”

Nicklaus also emphasized the importance of longevity in golf, saying “To be able to play for as long as I did, and at the level I did, was a real blessing.” He also noted that his consistent play over the years was a key factor in his success, saying “I think consistency is what wins golf tournaments, not just being able to play one or two good rounds.” However, you’ll be surprised to know that this isn’t the first time a veteran has attacked Woods with his declining form and health.

Colin Montgomerie says it’s time for Tiger Woods to retire

Colin Montgomerie is calling for Tiger Woods to hang up his golf clubs, saying it’s well past time for the 48-year-old legend to retire. In a blunt interview in 2024, Montgomerie claimed that Woods’s passion and charisma are gone, and that he didn’t seem to enjoy a single shot at the 2024 U.S. Open. Montgomerie even went so far as to say that Woods’s continued participation in golf is almost sad, and that he hopes people remember Woods in his prime, rather than the struggling golfer he’s become.

Montgomerie’s comments cut deep, and it’s clear he’s coming from a place of concern for Woods’s legacy. “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him,” Montgomerie said wistfully. “There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, he did not seem to enjoy a single shot and you think, ‘What the hell is he doing?'” It’s a harsh reality check for Woods, who’s struggled to regain his form after a devastating car crash in 2021. Montgomerie’s words may be tough to hear, but they’re a reminder that even the greatest athletes eventually have to face the music and hang up their cleats. What are your thoughts on Woods’s future in golf? Let us know in the comment section below!