Wednesday, May 31, 2000
Nicklaus says Woods' feats of past year
are `astounding'
By Hunki Yun
The Orlando Sentinel
(KRT)
ORLANDO — Jack Nicklaus and Eldrick Woods. The Bear and Tiger.
The greatest ever and his pursuer.
For nearly half an hour, the two sat side by side Monday after
Woods won the Memorial Tournament for the second consecutive year,
becoming the first repeat winner of Nicklaus' tournament.
Nicklaus, 60, listened while the 24-year-old Woods talked about
his game, and Woods listened as Nicklaus talked about Woods' game.
“I don't think anybody has probably ever played a game as
well as he's played it the last year,” Nicklaus said. “I
had my stretches where I played well. But, with today's number
of good players, to do that, I think it's probably more astounding
than my record was.
“He hits the ball farther than I did, but I think equipment
has something to do with that,” Nicklaus said. “But
it's not much, though. I think he manages his game well. I managed
my game well. He's got a far better short game than I ever had.
He's just got every shot around the green. He's a terrific putter,
but I think I was a good putter, too.”
Woods also recounted his first meeting with Nicklaus, as a freshman
in high school.
“It was at Bel Aire Country Club,” Woods said. “He
was doing a tournament for Friends of Golf, and I was a special
invited guest to help him at a clinic. I hit a few hooks and slices,
bombed a few drives down there.
“He said, `Maybe if you keep this up, you might have a future.'”
(c) 2000, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).
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Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
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