Jack Nicklaus always thought the U.S. Open was the hardest and most complete test in golf. That's what made Tiger Woods' victory even more impressive to the man whose major record Woods is trying to beat.
"To have a will as strong as that, I take my hat off to him," Nicklaus said Thursday.
Nicklaus was in Utah on Monday while Woods was going 19 holes for a playoff victory over Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines, and later learned the source of Woods' pain.
Woods said Wednesday that he had a torn ligament the past 10 months and a double stress fracture in his left leg that he suffered two weeks before the U.S. Open. He twice rallied from a one-shot deficit on the 18th hole, first to get into a playoff Sunday, then to extend the playoff one extra hole.
He said he will have surgery to repair a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
"In light of this week's revelation about Tiger's health, it makes his performance in the U.S. Open that much more phenomenal," Nicklaus said. "I have always said that the U.S. Open is the most difficult and complete examination of a golfer, and for him to persevere with a damaged knee and stress fracture is a testament not only to his ability, but his tremendously high level of competitiveness."
Nicklaus issued a statement through his office because he was inundated with requests for comments.
As for Woods missing the rest of the year, Nicklaus said he understood -- even if he could not relate.
"I am sincerely sorry for him," said Nicklaus, captain of four Presidents Cup teams on which Woods played. "I understand how difficult it is for him to walk away from the game, especially with two major championships and a Ryder Cup on the horizon. But I also know that Tiger is a very intelligent young man, and he has made a decision that is best for the long term and the rest of his career."
Nicklaus won a record-tying four U.S. Opens among his 18 professional majors, and he was never slowed by injury until late in his career. He only withdrew from one major, the 1983 Masters Tournament, with a back injury after the tournament started.
GOLF WITHOUT TIGER
ON THE SHORT END
Tournament organizers must try to put a positive spin on any event that no longer has Tiger Woods as a headliner after Wednesday's announcement.
"Everything was going great -- until yesterday," BMW Championship tournament director Jon Kaczkowski said Thursday. "If you're a golf fan in St. Louis, you've got to feel snakebit."
Woods is the defending champion in the tournament, a PGA Tour playoff event that will be held at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis in September.
"We've had a few callers to our office that have asked for a refund, which is to be expected," Kaczkowski said. "I'm surprised we haven't had more."
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
One area where Woods could boost business is gambling.
Graham Sharpe, spokesman for British-based William Hill, said the bookmaker was refunding money to those who bet on Woods winning two or three majors because he won't be playing the British Open or PGA Championship. Anyone who bet on him winning one was paid off. Those who bet on Woods winning no majors or all four have already lost.
Maybe the biggest reminder that Woods is done for the year is that William Hill lists Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia as the betting favorites for the British Open at 12-to-1.
A week ago, Woods was listed at 5-to-2.
MUST SEE TV
TV ratings likely will see the biggest change. Woods spikes ratings when he plays, even more when he is in contention, with ratings more than 50 percent higher last year on the weekend in tournaments where he competed.
NBC Sports might have gotten off easy. It broadcasts a dozen PGA Tour events. Woods played in four of them and won three -- the Accenture Match Play Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational and U.S. Open.
CBS Sports televises half of the tour's regular-season events, but ends the year showing Woods just twice -- at the Buick Invitational, which he won, and the Masters Tournament.
-- Associated Press
icon.
