“Tiger Woods, I would say he’s the most underachieving golfer in the history of the game,” said Brandel Chamblee on the latest episode of The Skip Bayless Show. Chamblee’s bold claim stems from his belief that Tiger Woods left an astonishing 10 to 15 major championships and 30 to 40 regular Tour events on the table. According to Chamblee, Woods’s tendency to dismantle and rebuild his golf swing multiple times throughout his career cost him valuable time and potentially affected his win percentage.
For instance, Woods made significant changes to his swing in the late 1990s, early 2000s, and again in 2010-2011, which Chamblee believes resulted in lost opportunities. Now, Chamblee’s sentiments are being echoed by the 1998 Masters winnner. “He did. He did. I would tell you that I look at Tiger’s career, if you go strictly by performance and numbers Jack Nicklaus is the greatest player. But when I look at the work that Tiger did and the era he did it,” said Mark O’Meara on the latest podcast on Golf’s Subpar, sharing his thoughts on whether Tiger Woods underachieved in his career.
This stance by O’Meara contrasts with Jack Nicklaus‘s own self-assessment, as the golf legend felt like he underachieved despite his remarkable achievements, including 18 majors and 73 PGA Tour wins, saying “I think I underachieved all my life” in 2015. O’Meara noted that while Nicklaus might have better numbers, Woods’s achievements are more impressive considering the challenges he faced, including back surgeries, knee problems, and a car accident. Furthermore, the 1998 Masters champion believes Woods would’ve dominated even more if he’d played with older equipment.
“I would tell you that if everybody had to play persimmon clubs and the old balata golf ball, I think Tiger Woods would’ve won more tournaments than he won. That’s how much better he was than everybody else,” he said. Persimmon clubs and balata balls require more skill and precision than the modern-day equipment, as they offer a softer feel and higher spin, resulting in a more classic ball flight.
This combination demands a more nuanced approach, and O’Meara believes Woods would’ve thrived in this era, given his exceptional talent. Despite acknowledging the impact of modern equipment on the game, O’Meara’s verdict is clear: “I think Tiger Woods is the greatest player, I mean I really do.” But its not only O’Meara who has backed Chamblee’s claims on Woods.
Gary Player agrees with Brandel Chamblee’s stance on Tiger Woods’s legacy
Gary Player believes Tiger Woods could have won 20 majors if he hadn’t changed his swing and taken lessons from various coaches, as he mentioned after his honorary tee shot at the 2025 Masters. According to Player, Woods’s decision to make significant changes to his swing, particularly after his dominating win at the 2000 U.S. Open, cost him valuable opportunities. Player noted that if Woods had stuck with what was working, he would have continued to dominate the sport, saying, “Tiger Woods, if he never had lessons — in my humble opinion, if he never had lessons, he would have won 20 majors minimum.”
Player’s comments highlight the importance of consistency and trusting one’s instincts in golf. He believes Woods was “so much better than anybody that plays today” and that he would have won 20, 22, or even 24 majors if he hadn’t made changes to his swing. Player also acknowledges the impact of injuries on Woods’s career, including knee and back operations. While many may not agree with this, Player’s assessment of Woods’s career is certainly worth noting. What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comment section below!
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