Jack Nicklaus ‘feels bad’ for Tiger Woods after arrest and offers to help ‘in any way I can’
Mentor for troubled 14-time Major champion now admits he does not think he will break record 18 Slam events
JACK NICKLAUS has expressed his sadness for troubled Tiger Woods, and offered to help him “in any way I can”.
Woods, 41, was arrested on Monday morning near his US home and charged with DUI — driving under the influence.
And Nicklaus, 77, said: “I’m a fan of Tiger and I’m a friend. And I feel bad for Tiger. He has been great for the game of golf and I think he needs all our help.
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“I don’t know what went on, but I hope he gets out of it, and he plays golf again. We all do. The PGA Tour needs him back.”
Nicklaus seemed to accept Woods is finished as a competitive player and will never threaten his record of 18 Majors titles — he has been four short since victory at the 2008 US Open.
He added: “I’ve always thought that Tiger would beat my record. Do I think so now? Probably not.”
Nicklaus revealed he had not spoken to Woods - who will not lose his £15.5million-a-year Nike deal - since the Champions Dinner at The Masters eight weeks ago, when the former world No 1 told him: “I’m really hurting.”
Woods was found asleep at the wheel of his car at 3am by Matthew Palladino from Florida’s Jupiter Island Police department.
Allegedly, both driver’s side tyres were flat and there was damage to front and rear bumpers. Dashcam footage is likely to be released by police today.
Woods could not remember if he was in California or Florida, saying he was on his “way back from golfing in Los Angeles” — when he was actually just a few miles from his Jupiter Island home.
He found it impossible to walk in a straight line or to accomplish other simple tests, with Palladino’s report saying his speech was “extremely slow and slurred, mumbled, confused”.
But he provided a breath test and a urine sample which showed he had no alcohol in his body.
Woods was revealed to be taking four types of painkillers and anti-inflammatory prescription drugs.
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He later issued a statement, saying: “I want the public to know alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications.”
Woods will appear in court on July 5. But regardless of what penalty is imposed, he will be more hurt by the embarrassment of this latest mishap, and the bleary-eyed mugshot released by police.