Gary Player Says World Needs Tiger Woods To Win

This past week, Gary Player stated to the world the impacts that a victory by Tiger Woods would have everywhere around the globe.

After Tiger's recent cut from this weeks The Open, he dropped to 258th in the golf world rankings.

Even though Tiger's performance continues to go down the drain, golf legend' Player hopes he can get back on track as fast as possible.

This "impact" he is speaking about is not for Tiger himself but for golf. As time goes by, less and less people are picking up the sport of golf.

Diversity is what Player is speaking about. He knows that the only way people in other countries would ever pick up the game of golf will be by example. Tiger's victory as an african american is said to be a stepping stone in diversity for golf.

"We need Tiger Woods. Why? He's a man of color. We need a black champion," Player had told Omnisport, which is a sports news service based in Europe, who is covering the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational being held in Virginia Water, England. "Go to Africa, where we've got all these young black kids used to seeing a white guy as the champion. Now they're getting inspired; they're sitting in front of their TV sets. It inspires them; it gets them interested in golf."

"Asia wants to see a man of color. So there are many reasons besides being so charismatic," Player continued. "I don't know if anybody in the world today can play like Tiger Woods did."

Tiger has been known as one of the greatest in golf until his recent struggles in the last few years. This can be due to the back surgery, or just lack of coaching.

He has not won since 2008 and can not add to his 14 Major championships.

Player has been a nine-time Major champion. He states how he is "sad" and disappointed in Tiger's recent plummet. He criticized the decision Woods made to change his swing and continued to add that Tiger might need someone who has actually been to the top to coach him. Player tells Omnisport that he needs to pick his coaches wisely.

"He won the U.S. Open by 15 shots and was having a lesson the next week," Player told Omnisport. "He's had lessons from four people or five people who really are not that good at playing.

"You've got to go for a lesson with someone who has been in the arena. If I want to know about business, I'll go to a businessman, I'll come to you for good interviews; everyone has got their skills."

Chris Como is the current swing consultant Tiger is using. Since his back injury, change in swing, and different coaching strategies, Player's wishes are far from happening.

"But Tiger Woods, he needs it overall -- mentally, physically and theoretically -- so he can get back to normality."

No matter what has happened to Tiger in the future, he has fans. He has people who want him to succeed in whatever he does. So, can he come back? Does he have what it takes to get back to the top? Does Tiger coming out victorious play a major role in diversity in the world? Whats your take?

Hagop Margossian

Founder of Spark Sports