Jack Nicklaus heard that Tiger Woods was sending and responding to messages in the wake of his violent car accident, so he took a moment to send a text Sunday after the Arnold Palmer Invitational had been completed.
What followed between the two golfing icons was a simple exchange. It started with words of encouragement from the 81-year-old Nicklaus, who plans to dust off his game to play nine holes at an event associated with the Ascension Charity Classic at Norwood Hills Country Club from Sept. 6 to 12.
“I texted and said I hoped he was doing well, and he responded with a nice text and didn’t really say anything other than he’s got a long way to go,” Nicklaus said Tuesday from his home in Florida. “He didn’t share anything. I think he wants to be private about that. I told him ‘Golf needs you, Tiger. Once you get back on your feet, get back out here.’ He wants to get back out, but we’ll have to see.”
Nicklaus still has his finger on the pulse of the golf world, from closely following the PGA Tour to designing courses and raising money for charities and golf events, sometimes as an ambassador for the game.
Woods might be chasing Nicklaus’ records, but the man who has won more major championships than anyone with 18 knows how much someone like Woods means to golf.
Nicklaus has not slowed down a lot over the years, and he has agreed to be part of the festivities for the Ascension Charity Classic, which is part of the PGA Tour Champions.