Barkley Says He Hasn’t Spoken With Tiger Since 2009 Scandal

Once upon a time, Charles Barkley was good friends with Tiger Woods. They’d play golf and gamble frequently in Las Vegas. But Barkley says he hasn’t talked to Tiger since the infamous hydrant scandal in late 2009.

The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch asks Sir Charles what happened. It’s behind a paywall, so we’ll lean on Golf.com’s Kevin Cunningham.

“I miss the part where I could be there when things were bad” Barkley said. “A lot of things happened to him after that. I think I am a good friend when things are not going good.”

But would Barkley ever try to contact Woods and rebuild their friendship? The answer to that, as Barkley told Deitsch, is a definite no.

“He would have to reach out to me. He didn’t just break off the relationship – he just never called again (Laughs).”

“I’m a Tiger Woods fan,” Barkley said. “I have not talked to Tiger since the accident. He went in a different direction. I’m not upset by that, (but) I’m disappointed. … 

“I understand that situation; I’m disappointed. But that was a thing in his life. He has to handle that how he handled it. I try not to ever be a Monday morning quarterback. That night changed his life forever. He chose to handle that, to just sever his friends and I have to accept that.”

“You think you’re friends with a guy, you talk to him once a week for 15 years, and you’re like, This dude is my friend. We do things. We have fun together,” Barkley said in 2011. “I haven’t talked to him in two years and I’m wondering what the hell is going on.” 

However, Charles maintains that he doesn’t hold any ill will toward Woods. Just the opposite, in fact.  

“I really want him to break Jack Nicklaus’ record,” he said. “I think Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer who ever lived. He’s always treated me with respect and dignity, and I feel like the same.