Graeme McDowell, who was preparing Saturday to defend his US Open title in Washington, D.C., next week, said the "crazy" experience of Tiger Woods left him questioning if golf has seen the last of the great American.
Woods pulled out of the championship because of a recurrence of knee and Achilles tendon injuries, leaving doubts about his future swirling around the sport.
The health problems were the latest setback to his game after his fall from grace and loss of form following the revelations about his private life at the end of 2009.
"He's had the most bizarre 18 months," McDowell said before heading off to Orlando, Fla., and a weekend of practice with Pete Cowen, his swing coach. "It has been crazy, what he's gone through, and it's going to be interesting to see what he does from here. Is he finished? Is he not finished? It's an interesting one."
McDowell was certain which situation he preferred.
"I hope for golf's sake that he's not finished," he said. "I hope this injury is not as bad as it seems and that he comes back and wins more majors and has a chance to beat Jack's record."
Jack Nicklaus won 18 major championships, and Woods has won 14, the last of them the US Open at Torrey Pines three years ago. Woods gave a glimpse of glories past in a stunning third round of 66 at Pebble Beach last year, but he was unable to chase down McDowell on the final day, finishing three strokes off the lead and in a share of fourth place.
"It's extra special to have won a major championship with Tiger on the leaderboard," McDowell said before going on to question the claim that Woods is the greatest player of all time. "I don't think that was in doubt a few years ago, [but] if he doesn't eclipse Jack, is he the best player ever? He was certainly extra special."
