Thanks, BobT. I thought that was more likely the case.
See, it wasn’t lying. It was just a mis-recollection. But I think I was close enough. 
My main point was: nobody goes out on the PGA Tour with balls that aren’t legal and lives to tell the tale (figuratively that is.)
I tend to think that Els, Duval, etc. would indeed be as good as Player, Trevino, Watson etc. if Woods weren’t around. Nicklaus wasn’t better than his competition by more than a stroke or two, and the best ones always knew they could win any tournament they entered if they had a few good rounds. That knowledge helped add to their own competitive spirit and motivation to practice.
But Woods is so much better than the rest that it has to be discouraging. Els, Duval, et al. have to know in their hearts that it doesn’t matter how well they play; they can’t win unless Woods lets them. It has to deaden a little piece of their souls to know that, and take off a little of the edge they might otherwise have. Some of the comments they made after the British Open reflected that.
I guess it’s a further reflection on Tiger’s greatness that he not only is the best by an inconceivable margin, but that he has actually made his opponents worse.