Harrington: Tiger will beat Jack's record
Padraig Harrington believes that Tiger Woods will surpass the record 18 Major victories achieved by Jack Nicklaus without ever regaining his dominance of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Woods won the most recent of his 14 Major titles at the 2008 U.S. Open before his game went into decline after the 2009 season following assorted leg injuries and the breakdown of his marriage.
However, the American has been in good health since October and he ended a two-year winless streak with victory in December at the limited-field Chevron World Challenge which he hosts in California.
"I've played with him and the way he hits the golf ball, there wouldn't be very many players who wouldn't want to hit the golf ball like him," Irishman Harrington, a triple major champion, told reporters on Wednesday while preparing for this week's Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
"I'd be still backing him to beat Jack's record, absolutely. If he turns up and plays well, he's going to win. He's in the position that he knows his best game is a winning game."
Harrington felt Woods might lose some of his Major drive should he move past the Nicklaus total of 18.
"If he gets another five (majors), motivation could hamper it," the Irishman said. "But when he plays well, he'll win majors, no doubt about it. He'll win plenty of tournaments.
"There's no question he will win plenty going forward. There are other guys out there, (but) their best game ain't going to win them. His is still a winning game."
Woods, the greatest player of his generation and arguably of all time, was once renowned for his aura of dominance and his uncanny ability to pull off magical shots or sink crucial putts at the best possible time.
That seemingly permanent aura is now gone forever, according to Harrington.
"Over the years I'm sure he came down the last hole in many tournaments just believing that he was going to birdie it, full stop, because it's happened so many times," the 40-year-old Dubliner said.
"Over the last 18 months it hasn't happened, so that leaves a little bit of doubt the next time he's in that position. He doesn't have the fear factor and the dominance as much to do it every week."
Harrington, who has not won on the US PGA Tour since his victory at the 2008 US PGA Championship, is making his first appearance of the season on the U.S. circuit this week.
Comment 6 - 25 of 25
Do all these idiots who trot out the "Jack Nicklaus is a gentleman" cliche really know the man. Jack is not a nice guy at all - I can assure you of that.
P Murray - Darren Clarke is a Jackass - the big kid went on a week long bender once he won the open - also I believe Padraig is correct regarding Tiger. Go Tiger - TV viewing is superb when you are in full flight.
Harrington, you are right. There is no better man than Tiger Woods to beat Jack's record and that he will!!
I dont think that you are goodenough to kiss Darren Clatkes shoes and Rory is a real golfer who just might beet everybodys record
The next time you have the privlage to meet Jack In person; Tell him just that. I,m Irish and I loved your major wins but God who did you beat and in what conditions?However I understand where your comming from because you and Tiger have one thing in common; The inability to win for a long time.Geat real.
I don't like the spitting,swearing and punching the air, that is certainly not gentlemanly behaviour, he could do with a lesson in manners on and off the golf course
I think Padraig is a little way off here because the landscape has changed in the 2 years since Woods last won and he does not realise that.Harrington himself has fallen off the pace badly so he has issues to deal with himself.The balence of power shifted in 2009 when Yang took down Woods in the PGA Championship and even without the scandal his so called aura was fading since that Sunday.Even Woods himself was stunned and now you have the young guns winning big events on the US tour and what about Europes big 5.Woods proved this week when trying to change the long putter rules that he is afraid of the way the contenders are making those cruical putts that once he made with regularity.Padraig should stop talking nonsense and climb back into the race because he is getting lapped now
16......Dizzy..........Agreed, sort of. We'd be a boring lot if we all had the same character. The only 2 occasions that I've seen Tiger being truly out of order were when he left a glob on the green and when he launched his driver which then bounced into the gallery at the Australian Open (I think) a couple of years ago, with the strong possibility of injuring someone. Now had he walked over, smiled and apologised, that would at least haver been something but no, he just glared at them and took his club back without a word. That's not just bad sportsmanship, it's pure ignorance and unnecessary surliness. Against that, everyone that plays with him seems to enjoy the experience with regard to friendliness. So yeah, he's got good and bad traits but haven't we all? The arguments will rage on about him but he is who he is, and maybe without that he wouldn't have been (and possibly still is) the player that he has down the years.
@ Dizzy, I bet you are as crass as Tiger, you feel it's ok to behave how you like in what is considered a gentleman's sport. At least Lee Westwood apologized for his behaviour, most golf fan's dont want this sort of behaviour and you are condoning it. Dull as a dishwasher is better than pig rude!!!
So what if he spits or curses? Who cares about that? You're bound to see more of Tiger's less desirable traits on a Golf course anyway, given that the cameras are constantly on him. Lee Westwood cursed the other day. How about having a go at him now? Is that the first time he has cursed on a Golf course in a tournament or the first time he has been heard? It would be very naive to suggest that this was the first time Lee cursed on a Golf course in a pro event and just happened to get caught on that single occasion. I don't personally feel Tiger will get the record now though he may get another one or two. Either way, he is a genius and a legend. To be honest, I'm not sure that the behaviour of players on the course really should be relevant. You hit a bad shot and you swear. Big deal! It's the quality of their Golf that should matter and when Woods is at his best the quality of his Golf is exemplary. Luke Donald is a nice guy and a very good player but he's as dull as dishwater for god's sake. Boring!!!
Tiger has a personality and adds character to the sport.
Isn't it strange and extremely sad that the moment someone critises Woods, and there's a lot to be critical about, some complete jackass plays the race card. It really is the last refuge of a fool with no real arguement to make. Quite pathetic really.
And I agree Piecrust, morty sounds far too much like rtz5 for my likeing.
Indeed Piecrust, I believe he is :)
@ 9, 10 & 11 Morty; your emails have shown the amount of class you possess, thank you. With regards to spitting, which you obviously find acceptable/amuzing?, TW spits everywhere he please, including the green. Perhaps you don't play the game of golf, however, regardless, I wouldn't be best pleased if my golf ball ended up in one of TW's phlemn, or anyone elses to that matter.
Thank you also for allowing the rest of us to be privvy to your most intelligent comments, and I await with baited breath for your retort.
I would politely suggest that you return to the threads that would better suit your comments & needs, perhap football? Have a nice day :)
bobby - I think your idiotic friend is back under a new name.
he spit on a golf course? oh my God it's the end of the world forget terrorism we need to stamp out spitting on golf courses.
he doesn't "deserve" to win? if he shoots the lowest score he deserves to win. end of story. and we'll kick your sorry arses in ryder cup too.
i love all you lowlife scum racist pieces of shyte talking about "class". you know nothing about class and offer nothing to society of any value.
Yes Big Rich Tiger is rude and maybe doesnt deserve it, but as much as i dont particularly like Tiger Woods his one of the best players ever and I would have to agree with Padraig on this one, he knows Tiger very well and to be fair he only needs 5 more to pass him 1 every two years hell have the record and he def is wel capable of that. I also agree Jackk was and is still a gentlemen but gentlemen dont always win or hold records. fLove him or hate Tiger I think Padraig is right.
No he won't says BigRich nor does he deserve to. Jack was a gentleman, Woods is a rude arrogant, selfish man.
Jack was a gentleman and sportsman. He did not go chasing titles like Tiger, Jack put his family first. if he had dedicated hisself to winning titles he would have acquired many more, but his family was more important., and when did you ever see Jack spit on a golf course. not like Tiger. filthy habit
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