Tiger Woods is by far the best golfer, says Kapil Dev

An avid golfer himself, cricket great Kapil Dev on Sunday said Tiger Woods is by far the best golfer who continues to inspire millions to the sport.

"In the last 20 years what I have seen, Tiger Woods made an immense impact upon youngsters and millions of other people. Though he had a rough time recently, he had his good times and nobody was better than him," Kapil said in Bengaluru.

"People say it is an old man's game. I don't think so. I just think why I didn't I play the game when I was young."

Woods was in news after shocking details of his private life had received world-wide attention with several of the golfer's mistresses coming forward to provide information about his infidelity.

Kapil said he does not have any hero in golf because cricket was his biggest passion.

"I don't have any hero in this sport. Whoever plays well I admire them. In golf, things change faster. Tiger Woods was amazing. He changed the perception of the game in totality, and young people wanted to be like him, but not me," he said.

Since golf is not his first love, he doesn't give a thought of taking on anybody because he plays the sport for enjoyment, Kapil said.

"This is not my sport and I wouldn't take on anybody. I play this game for enjoyment. I don't have to compete with any other player, instead I compete with myself," he said.

On the achievement Aditi Ashok, who performed exceedingly well in Rio Olympics, Kapil said her show has had a tremendous impact on young girls who are wanting to play golf.

Aditi, the youngest player in the field, had entered the Olympics ranked 57 out of 60 golfers, but finished 16 places above her ranking.

"In the last 15 years, the girls have been making so much of impact in tennis and badminton among other sports, and they should be given more space as they are important part of people's lives.

"Our mindset should change, of course ours is a male-dominated society," he said.

"Opportunities should be given to women. They are not here just to get married and produce kids. They are important part of our lives. Women should have more space in this world than anybody else," Kapil added.