In a recent interview, legendary US golfer Jack Nicklaus revealed that he and his wife Barbara tested positive for the coronavirus in March. The couple has since recovered following a course of treatment. Nicklaus, who is 80 years old, discussed his journey of overcoming the illness while acting as the host for the US PGA Tour’s Memorial tournament.
He provided a detailed account of their experience, noting that while his wife showed no symptoms, he suffered from a sore throat and a lingering cough for several weeks, starting from March 13. He mentioned that the recovery process took a little over a month and expressed gratitude for their survival, acknowledging that their age makes them particularly vulnerable to severe complications. Having faced the hardship of the disease himself, Nicklaus used the platform to offer his condolences to those grieving the loss of family members during the pandemic.
The news of Nicklaus's illness came as a surprise to many in the sporting world and beyond. Even Tiger Woods mentioned in a recent interview that he had been aware of the couple's diagnosis. Woods shared that learning about their recovery was a relief, not only for his own family but for the entire golfing community that views Nicklaus as a monumental inspiration.
Tiger Woods is widely considered one of the greatest to ever play the game, with 15 major championships—second only to Nicklaus, who holds the all-time record with 18. For roughly three months, the global pandemic brought all US PGA Tour events to a standstill. However, professional golf has recently begun to return, with the Memorial tournament being the sixth event to resume. Due to the ongoing rise of COVID-19 cases in the United States, the tournament is being held behind closed doors without any fans in attendance.