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<\/p>\nSix-time major winner Lee Trevino spent years competing against Jack Nicklaus and came away convinced of one thing: the Golden Bear could have won even more majors than he did.<\/p>\n
According to Trevino, a single flaw in Nicklaus’ game prevented him from reaching an even greater level of dominance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Jack had had a wedge, no doubt in my mind, he would have won 30 majors. I mean, he was so good at everything else,\u201d said Trevino to Golf Digest.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Golf Jack Nicklaus at the 1980 US Open, Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield NJ. Springfield New Jersey USA Copyright: xPaulxJxSutton\/DUOMO\/PCNx GO0801 106003<\/p>\n
Golf Jack Nicklaus at the 1980 US Open, Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield NJ. Springfield New Jersey USA Copyright: xPaulxJxSutton\/DUOMO\/PCNx GO0801 106003<\/p>\n
Interestingly, Nicklaus himself knew about the missing piece in the jigsaw, as reported by Jaime Diaz of Golf Digest<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I didn\u2019t have a real good short game, my philosophy became I\u2019m going to hit 14 or 15 greens, I\u2019m going to hit at least a couple of par 5s in two, and I\u2019m going to make every putt inside 10 feet,\u201d Nicklaus said back in 2010.<\/p>\n The Golden Bear became overly reliant on other aspects of his game to lessen the need to use his short game.<\/p>\n However, he soon realized that it was significantly costing him on the biggest stages, where every stroke counts.<\/p>\n In 1979, Nicklaus finally approached Phil Rodgers for help with his short game, and that partnership immediately reaped benefits for him.<\/p>\n He proceeded to win the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship in 1980 and then lifted the Masters title in 1986.<\/p>\n While there\u2019s a lot of debate regarding who\u2019s the greatest in the game, Trevino had his answer ready.<\/p>\n Who is the GOAT according to Trevino?<\/p>\n Jack Nicklaus is considered by many to be the GOAT, while others argue that it\u2019s Tiger Woods. Trevino had a very organized answer, as reported by Antony Martin of HITC.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cGolfers are like an orange tree. There\u2019s always a top orange, and then there\u2019s another orange almost touching it. And then there\u2019s a circle of oranges. I think the top orange, in my opinion, is between 3 golfers. I think it\u2019s Nicklaus, Snead, and Bobby Jones, and Tiger is touching them. Tiger\u2019s got a hold of them a little bit,\u201d said Trevino.<\/p>\n Sam Snead and Woods are tied at the top for the most wins on the PGA Tour. On the other hand, Bobby Jones never turned pro but lifted four U.S. Open titles and three Open Championship titles.<\/p>\n Similarly, Snead had seven major titles to his name, and Woods sits right behind Nicklaus with 15.<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to pick the best of the lot, but Trevino really crafted a beautiful answer that fits them all into the GOAT conversation.<\/p>\n What are your thoughts on Trevino\u2019s statement on Nicklaus? Share them in the comments.<\/p>\n
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