LOS ANGELES—Jack Nicklaus knows a thing or two about winning U.S. Opens and has described Monday's playoff victory at Torrey Pines by a limping Tiger Woods as phenomenal.
World number one Woods defied jabbing pain in his left knee and a double stress fracture before edging out fellow American Rocco Mediate at the 91st hole to clinch his 14th major title.
Two days later, Woods stunned the golfing world by saying he had torn a ligament in his knee 11 months ago and would be sidelined for the rest of the year to have reconstructive surgery.
"In light of this week's revelation about Tiger's health, it makes his performance in the U.S. Open that much more phenomenal," 18-times major winner Nicklaus said in a statement on Thursday.
"I have always said that the U.S. Open is the most difficult and complete examination of a golfer and for him to persevere with a damaged knee and stress fracture is a testament not only to his ability but his tremendously high level of competitiveness.
"He was obviously in pain but he played right through it. To have a will as strong as that, I take my hat off to him."
Nicklaus, widely regarded as the greatest player ever with Woods as his heir apparent, won a record-equalling four U.S. Opens between 1962 and 1980.
He strung together a record 146 consecutive major starts, ending when he missed the 1998 British Open and withdrew only once from a major, pulling out of the 1983 Masters with a back injury.
Walking Away
"I understand how difficult it is for him to walk away from the game, especially with two major championships and a Ryder Cup on the horizon," said Nicklaus, who is affectionately known as the 'Golden Bear.'
Woods will miss next month's British Open at Royal Birkdale, the Aug. 7-10 PGA Championship and the Sept. 19-21 Ryder Cup in Louisville, Kentucky.
"But I also know that Tiger is a very intelligent young man and he has made a decision that is best for the long term and the rest of his career," added Nicklaus, who has captained Woods on four U.S. Presidents Cup teams.
"For now, he needs to focus on his health and his quality of life and it sounds as if that is what he is doing. He has earned this time off, although I realize he did not want it to happen this way and I wish him well.
"Tiger is one of the best-conditioned golfers I have ever been around, so I fully expect for him to do what is necessary to get back to competitive shape in the shortest amount of time possible and return strong next season."
The record 18 major titles accumulated by Nicklaus has long been the driving force behind Woods's career. He now trails by four with only his childhood idol ahead of him.
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