Nicklaus: ‘I don’t think [Tiger’s] done’
Jack Nicklaus knows from personal experience that a supposed past-his-prime golfer can still have his day.
This year is the 30th anniversary since Nicklaus’ unlikely, emotional sixth Masters win in 1986 at the age of 46. It was his final professional win, his 18th major title and a bookend to his career two years after his penultimate PGA Tour win.
Nicklaus said he battled his fair share of issues in his 40s, including injuries, but managed to still win two majors at the age of 40 in 1980.
“I was able to manage my problems that I did have,” said Nicklaus. “Did I get sick or something like everybody else? Sure. Did I have injuries? Sure. Did I play through them? Sure, like everybody does. But they were never injuries that kept me from continuing to play.”
Woods is battling slightly different circumstances, recovering from a pair of fall 2015 back surgeries, the second and third for him in a 20-month stretch. He shared Friday of the week before the Masters that he wouldn’t be able to play this year’s tournament in search of a fifth green jacket.
Nicklaus, aware from speaking with Woods at a Ryder Cup function in February, what the 14-time major winner is dealing with to come back to the game, still believes Woods can rise to a major occasion one more time.
“He’s got to show up for his 1980 and his 1986,” Nicklaus said. “I think he’ll show up for that a little bit.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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