It isn’t often Tiger Woods reaches out to others for advice on his golf game.
Unless you’re a Hall of Famer.
NBC golf analyst and former PGA professional Johnny Miller was approached by Woods’ team in the late 90’s about giving him some pointers, specifically on his short game.
“Tiger heard,” Miller explained to Brad Cesmat Wednesday on ‘Big Guy on Sports’ at The Waste Management Phoenix Open Tee Off Luncheon in Scottsdale. “[Jack] Nicklaus said I was the best short iron player he ever saw. Tiger had everything but his short iron distance control. He was hitting it a little too hard and high.”
Miller said the timing wasn’t conducive to tutoring Woods because one of his sons [Andy] was about to join the tour, while another was training to be a pro golfer, as well. He didn’t know what the time commitment would be coaching the 14-time Majors Champion, but has second thoughts about his decision looking back on it.
“I feel a little bit of regret for at least not meeting with him and giving him a few tips,” Miller told Cesmat. “It was an honor to be asked by his management firm. He’s obviously so talented and done a lot of good things to promote the game and grow the game.”
Miller will be part of NBC’s broadcast team for next month’s Waste Management Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale.
He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1996 after tallying 25 professional tour wins, two of those Majors (1973 U.S. Open, 1976 Open Championship). He won the Phoenix Open twice during his playing career.
Eric Sorenson
