The Masters at Augusta National is underway, kicking off Thursday morning with legends Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Gary Player teeing off to start the event.
Nicklaus, now 86, remains well-informed on what’s happening in the game, including the recent incident involving fellow legend Tiger Woods.
Woods was involved in a car accident near his Florida home roughly two weeks ago, flipping his SUV after clipping a trailer. Fortunately, everyone was unharmed, but Woods decided to skip Augusta, step away from golf temporarily, and focus on recovery and getting help.
While some have criticized his off-course decisions, Woods also received significant support — including from Nicklaus, who stressed the game is better when Woods is competing.
“Whatever you need to help you get back,” Nicklaus said this week, “because I think golf needs him, and we’d love to have him back.”
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Last week, Nicklaus also spoke about Woods, just days after the March 27 accident, offering more insight into the support Woods receives.
“Sometimes you get, you know, too far down the line and you just need somebody to help you. I think he probably needs some help. And we all want to help him. We’re all on his side,” Nicklaus said.
“Obviously, I feel bad for Tiger. I like Tiger. I don’t just like him — I like him a lot. He’s been taking painkillers for a long time, and I don’t know how much pain he’s in because I just don’t know. But I don’t think he’d be taking them if he didn’t need them.”
Many believed Woods, who has been sidelined the past year following a torn Achilles and back surgery, would make his return at Augusta.
However, this situation derailed those plans. Woods has now decided to step away from the sport for an extended period, and it remains unclear when — or if — he will return to the PGA Tour.
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