Butch Harmon: Tiger Woods is an arrogant "pr**k!"
Harmon explains why Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus have been so dominant over the years...
Tiger Woods is an "arrogant pr**k" on the golf course, according to Woods' former long-time golf coach Butch Harmon.
Speaking on an Instagram Live chat with his son Claude Harmon III, the legendary instructor claimed it was no surprise to see Woods go on to win 15 majors and counting given the self belief he assumes by the time he reaches the first tee.
Harmon also throws record 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus into a similar bracket.
"You absolutely need a streak of arrogance to be a great champion, to be the best at what you do," said Harmon, who worked with Woods for the best part of 11 years.
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"You’ve got to have a lot of pr**k in you. You have to be that kind of guy when you walk between the ropes.
"Tiger’s definitely that way — guys like him just want to cut your heart out."
Harmon added: "They’ll go to dinner later on, or we’ll have a beer afterwards and joke. But when it comes time to play, I’m going to really get you.
"A certain Jack Nicklaus thought that way too, and he had that dose of arrogance you need. But you would never know it by his demeanour."
Harmon claims to now see a similar mindset in that of four-time major winner Brooks Koepka and 2016 US Open champion Dustin Johnson, both of whom are coached by Claude.
"You and I know DJ as well as anybody," said Harmon. "He is so laid back, but when he walks between the ropes he changes, and Brooks is the same way. They just want to beat you so bad. It’s what drives them.
"In Brooks’ case, I still don’t think he gets the credit for being as good as he is, even though he’s won four majors in the last few years.
"But he uses that to his advantage. That’s why he plays with that big chip on his shoulder. You don’t think I’m good? Let me show you how good I am.
"And then people will say, ‘Well, how come can he play so good in majors and not good in other events?’
"Well, number one he gets up for the majors. He likes the challenge. He likes to be there. He likes being the man."
