“Gimme a break, you’re just a golfer” – Charles Barkley on why Tiger Woods wasn’t enjoyable to be round

For most modern-day NBA followers, Charles Barkley is usually generally known as the loud, blunt and hilarious voice on Inside the NBA, consistently stirring up leisure along with his gimmicks. But lengthy earlier than he grew to become a studio icon, Chuck was one of many league’s most charismatic and recognizable stars — somebody whose character related him with main celebrities, together with golf legend Tiger Woods.

And whereas most assume Chuck’s aggressive edge would mix seamlessly with Wood’s depth, that wasn’t the case in any respect. Instead, the previous 11-time All-Star as soon as admitted that he would a lot slightly spend time with Phil Mickelson, who assured enjoyable instances, in contrast to “uptight” Woods.

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Barkley selected Mickelson over Woods

Sir Charles was by no means somebody whose aggressive drive saved him restricted to the basketball hardwood. His love for golf led him to kind a detailed bond with Tiger Woods, with whom he spoke “once a week for 15 years,” as per Barkley.

But all the pieces flipped the other way up in 2009, when Woods’ life unraveled after cashing his Cadillac days after experiences of his infidelity got here out. While the state of affairs turned from dangerous to worse when a dozen ladies got here ahead with claims, Woods’ fame took an enormous hit because the scandal dominated international headlines.

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Moreover, there was hypothesis that it was Barkley and Michael Jordan who corrupted Woods’s thoughts and from that time on, the latter utterly “ghosted” the 1993 MVP – one thing that genuinely bothered Barkley.

“I could understand if he was trying to get back with his wife at the time and she said, ‘Hey, get rid of all your old friends,’ and he called and said, ‘This is the situation,'” Barkley told Andscape in 2017. “I would’ve understood that. But I just wish he would have been man enough to call and say that. To just disappear totally was disappointing.”

Even although the pair later exchanged pleasant on-air banter, creating the impression that their relationship had recovered, Barkley hinted in any other case. In Mickelson’s biography, he took not-so-subtle pictures at Woods.

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He emphasised that it was extra enjoyable to spend time with Phil than with Tiger as a result of individuals at all times needed to watch what they mentioned in Tiger’s presence and that stiffness made the atmosphere uncomfortable.

“Tiger is a better golfer. You’re just in awe of his talent. But it’s not fun to be around him. Everyone in his world is uptight and s–t, afraid to say or do the wrong thing. Tiger himself has always acted like he’s under siege,” the previous 11-time NBA All-Star mentioned. “Gimme a f—king break, you’re just a golfer, dude. When you’re with Phil, you’re guaranteed to have fun. He makes people feel good. Everyone around him is always smiling.”

Related: “Barkley is bigger than basketball” – Kevin Johnson on how Charles Barkley elevated the Phoenix Suns’ tradition along with his arrival

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Wasn’t the primary time Barkley was important of Woods

Despite tales from the previous suggesting that Barkley as soon as even trash-talked Woods on the golf course, giving an impression that the 2 had been maybe unfiltered with each other, that wasn’t the case.

Interestingly, on a special event, the NBA legend even labeled Woods as not so sociable guy and as having such a one-track thoughts that there was near no house for joking or laid-back interactions.

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“Even when he was a friend of mine, he wasn’t a very sociable guy,” Chuck said. “He just had a one-track mind. He just wanted to break Jack Nicklaus.”

So, it does appear that, despite the fact that Barkley and Woods did spend time collectively, the NBA legend was by no means in his most comfy, unfiltered zone, as he’s seen commonly on the units of Inside the NBA for many years now.

Related: Jordan Spieth factors to Nikola Jokic whereas praising Scottie Scheffler: “He’d go back to his horse barn”

This story was initially printed by Basketball Network on Apr 6, 2026, the place it first appeared within the Off The Court part. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.