Tiger Woods' Ex-Coach Calls Scottie Scheffler 'More of Jack' Nicklaus
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Scottie Scheffler is in the thick of his golden era, and he doesn't seem to be blinking. Scheffler has now won 12 times since March 2024, including three of the four majors and an Olympic gold.
His latest triumph came last week at Royal Portrush, where the World No.1 raised the Claret Jug after a commanding four-shot victory at the 153rd Open Championship. It marked the third leg of the career Grand Slam, leaving only the U.S. Open to complete the set.
Woods' ex-coach Butch Harmon compares Scottie Scheffler to Jack Nicklaus
Soon after his win, the golf world erupted with comparisons of Scheffler and 15-time major winner, Tiger Woods. Scheffler's dominance, especially his ability to stay focused, has drawn parallels to Woods' from quite some time. Even Xander Schauffele stated, "He's doing some Tiger-like stuff," per the PGA Tour.
But amid all the comparisons with the Big Cat, one voice close to Woods offered a different take.
Image Collage of Tiger Woods and his former coach Butch Harmon during the 1999 British Open and Scottie Scheffler with the Claret Jug at the 2025 Open Championship. (Image Credits: Getty Images)
Image Collage of Tiger Woods and his former coach Butch Harmon during the 1999 British Open and Scottie Scheffler with the Claret Jug at the 2025 Open Championship. (Image Credits: Getty Images)
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Butch Harmon, who coached Woods from 1993 to 2004, dialed into SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio on Monday to share his views.
"In all the comparisons and stuff to Tiger and this and that, I think his greatest attribute that he has is he's the closest thing to Jack Nicklaus I've ever seen mentally," Harmon stated per video posted on X. "He makes no mental mistakes. He dumps the ball in the middle of the green when he has to. His iron control is beautiful. He reminds me more of Jack than he does of Tiger — Tiger in the winning ways, but Jack in the way he plays golf. I've never quite seen a guy that can mimic Nicklaus the way he does".
Harmon's praise wasn't just about the stats but the similarity in their styles as well. Scheffler's strategic, mistake-free approach mirrors Nicklaus' famed course management. And Harmon, who's seen both legends up close, believes Scheffler's mental game is what sets him apart.
Facts prove Scottie Scheffler's resemblance to Jack Nicklaus
Back in May, after Scheffler won the Memorial Tournament, Nicklaus told reporters, "He plays a lot like I did." The Golden Bear emphasized Scheffler's ability to play smart with a lead, something Nicklaus mastered over decades.
Not only that, but after clinching the Open, Scheffler's 15-month-old son Bennett crawled toward him on the 18th green. The toddler tripped, face-planted, and was scooped up by Scheffler as he balanced the Claret Jug in one hand, son in the other.
Image Collage of Scottie Scheffler with son Bennett after his 2025 Open Championship win Vs Jack Nicklaus with son Gary after the 1973 PGA Championship victory. (Image Credits: Getty Images)
Image Collage of Scottie Scheffler with son Bennett after his 2025 Open Championship win Vs Jack Nicklaus with son Gary after the 1973 PGA Championship victory. (Image Credits: Getty Images)
Getty Images
It was a scene reminiscent of Nicklaus at the 1973 PGA Championship, when his 4-year-old son Gary ran to him. The 18-time major winner also carried off Gary, per The Associated Press.
Nicklaus later called that photo his "favorite photo in golf," later taking it to Facebook, captioning it, "Family first, golf second."
Scheffler echoed that sentiment after winning the Claret Jug.
"I would say my greatest priorities are my faith and my family," Scheffler said, per the AP. "Those come first for me. Golf is third, in that order."
So while the Tiger comparisons with the World No.1 may be inevitable, Wood's former coach Harmon, and perhaps Nicklaus himself, see something deeper.
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below!
More Golf: Phil Mickelson's Attitude Toward Scottie Scheffler Evolves After The Open
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