Mark O’Meara revisited a moment that left an impression on both him and golf fans, recounting a past interview with David Feherty, where he was asked to pick between the legends – Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods – in a rapid-fire segment.
“I remember I did Feherty’s show, and David asked me, he goes, ‘Okay, you know, the 30-second spot, like this or that, quick answers, right? He goes, Jack or Tiger?’ And I said, ‘Look, that’s a really hard one. I’m sorry. I mean, I grew up idolizing Jack Nicklaus. Jack Nicklaus has got the most majors. He’s, you know, blah, blah, blah.’ And then I looked at the camera, I said, ‘You know, Jack, please don’t be mad at me. Tiger Woods is the greatest player I’ve ever seen, and I truly believe that,'” O’Meara told the GOLF Subpar podcast with Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz.
O’Meara never downplays Nicklaus’ achievements. With 18 major titles and 19 runner-up finishes in majors, “The Golden Bear” still owns the record books. But for O’Meara, greatness isn’t measured by numbers alone.
“If you go strictly by performance and numbers, Jack Nicklaus is the greatest player,” O’Meara admitted. “But when I look at what Tiger did, and the era that he did it in…I think Tiger Woods is the greatest player. I really do.”
Close friends with Woods
Woods, who dominated during an era where golf became more competitive, more athletic, and more scrutinized than ever, brought a level of intimidation and excellence that hasn’t been matched.
His arrival in the late ’90s sparked a renaissance, transforming golf from a niche sport into a global spectacle.
“I would say that I look at Tiger’s career… and I would tell you that, you know, with all the on and off-course issues, the injuries, and this and that, and the equipment… everybody likes to bring up the equipment. But if everybody had to play with persimmon clubs and the old golf ball? I think Tiger Woods would have won more tournaments than he won. That’s how much better he was than everybody else,” O’Meara noted.
O’Meara, who became close friends with Woods during their time as neighbors and practice partners in Orlando, saw firsthand how Tiger approached the game with an intensity and focus unlike anyone else.
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