Jack Nicklaus Shares Details Of Champions Dinner Chat With Tiger Woods
The 83-year-old heaped praise on Woods for the "courage" he has shown during his latest comeback


Jack Nicklaus has shared a snippet of what he and Tiger Woods spoke about at this year's Champions Dinner ahead of the first men's Major of 2023.
Woods battled to make the cut at The Masters but was forced to withdraw during the rain-delayed third round at Augusta National, citing a return of the plantar fasciitis that he has suffered with since his horror car crash in February 2021.
Nicklaus, 83, praised Woods' "courage" during a press conference at the Insperity Championship on the PGA Tour Champions before revealing details of their conversation at this year's highly anticipated pre-Masters feast.
"I don’t know a whole lot about what he’s been through," Nicklaus said. "He’s showed a lot of guts and courage to play and try to be part of what’s going on with the way he’s been. He’s actually swinging pretty well, he just can’t walk.
"We talk quite a bit. He said [at the Champions Dinner], ‘I’m really playing well. I’m hitting the ball great. My short game’s great. My putting’s good.’ He said, ‘I just can’t walk.’ And he says, 'If it helps where I can walk, I’m willing to do it'."
The 15-time Major champion has since undergone subtalar fusion surgery on his right ankle to relieve symptoms of arthritis that had been making it even more difficult to walk and complete 72 holes, which he has done just twice on his latest comeback to professional golf.
"He wouldn’t be having the operations if he wasn’t interested in wanting to continue to play," Nicklaus continued. "He’s a very motivated and dedicated young man to continue to play the game of golf."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
While Woods looks set to miss the remaining three Majors of 2023, foot and ankle surgeon and consultant Nima Heidari believes the long-term prognosis is much brighter, telling Golf Monthly "there's no reason why he can't be absolute top of the game again" when he is fully recovered.
A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he decided to go freelance and now covers a variety of topics for Golf Monthly.
Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.
As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.
What's in Andy's bag?
Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)
Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)
Irons: Mizuno mp32 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
-
'I Think We All Hoped It Would Have Been A Little Further Long, And That's No Secret' - Brooks Koepka's Echoes Recent Tough Love Towards LIV Golf
The five-time Major champion said progress is being made with the PIF-backed circuit after stating it was "quite far behind" its rivals on The Joe Pomp Show
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How You Can Play St Andrews Old Course In Reverse
You can win a tee time on the 'reversed' Old Course at St Andrews next year by shooting the lowest gross score over the virtual links this April
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'I Can't Believe I'm Saying This' - Tiger Woods Hints At Shock Augusta Appearance Before Revealing True State Of His Achilles In April Fools Joke
Woods was apparently keen not to miss out on the whimsical nature of April 1 by posting a playful update on his recovery from Achilles surgery
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'The People Can’t Get Enough Of Him. We Can’t Get Enough Of Him. It Would Be Sad That He Wouldn’t Come Back Here And Play In The Future' - Major Champions Call On Tiger Woods To Become 'Ceremonial' Masters Player Once He Retires
Two-time US Open winners Andy North and Curtis Strange responded to questions about Tiger Woods' future in golf prior to the 89th Masters tournament
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Tiger Did Some Stuff In 2000...But Scottie’s Year Was The Best We’ve Ever Seen' - Bubba Watson Sparks Debate With Controversial Scheffler Claim
Bubba Watson has sparked a huge golfing debate after claiming Scottie Scheffler's 2024 season was better than Tiger Woods' all-conquering 2000 campaign
By Paul Higham Published
-
‘It’s The Craziest Thing In The History Of Sport What Tiger Woods Did’ - Brandel Chamblee Questions 15-Time Major Winner’s Swing Changes During Peak Of Career
Speaking on the Dan on Golf podcast, Chamblee claimed that Woods' move to coach, Hank Haney, in 2004 was one of the 'craziest things in the history of sport'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'Love Is In The Air' - Tiger Woods Announces Relationship With Vanessa Trump
The 15-time Major winner announced on social media that he and Vanessa Trump are together
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'He's In Great Spirits' - Fred Couples Issues Upbeat Bulletin On Tiger Woods As He Starts Latest Recovery
Tiger Woods is "in great spirits" as he starts his latest injury comeback from a ruptured Achilles - according to close friend Fred Couples
By Paul Higham Published
-
Report: Work On Tiger Woods Biopic To Begin - With Barack Obama's Film Company Involved
A film about the life and career of Tiger Woods is reportedly in the works, with Barack Obama's production company likely to be involved
By Paul Higham Published
-
Is It Finally Time For Tiger Woods To Walk Away From Professional Golf?
The 15-time Major winner faces another long spell on the sidelines after undergoing achilles surgery
By Elliott Heath Published