On the back of Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major champion Tiger, claiming his first AJGA title and establishing himself as a rising star, many have chimed in on whether the youngster can survive in his father’s towering shadow.
Nicklaus, an 18-time major winner himself, has now had his say. He likened the situation to when his son, Gary, started his career as a pro and found the limelight and expectation at such a young age overwhelming.
Woods won his first AJGA tournament last week(Image: Getty Images)
“It ran him out of golf,” Nicklaus began, touching on his son’s experiences to AP. “Gary would get off the 18th and run to the car so he didn’t have to talk to the press for about two years. I think it’s tough on kids. It’s difficult for them. It’s even tougher today. Charlie is a nice little player. He’s got a beautiful little golf swing. Does he want to follow his father? Does he realize what’s going on?
“My kids played because they wanted to play, not because I wanted them to play,” Nicklaus said, before speaking about the lesson he taught his children. “That was sort of my rule of the house. Don’t play golf because of me, play golf because that’s what you want to do.”
