Tiger can still beat my major record, says Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus has said that he believes Tiger Woods can still overhaul his record of 18 major championship victories.

Woods last won a major almost exactly 10 years ago, when the American battled to a memorable playoff win at the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines in southern California.

That victory left him four shy of Nicklaus’s tally of 18 majors, a target that has looked increasingly beyond Woods in recent years during long injury layoffs.

Nicklaus, however, who will host this week’s Memorial tournament in Ohio, said he is convinced Woods can win majors again after playing with him on Monday at Shinnecock Hills, the venue for the 2018 US Open.

“While Tiger has not had that much fun the last 10 years, and I would hate to go through what he has been through as he’s been through a lot, but he’s a hard worker, he’s a tough competitor and he’s still driven, so that’s why I would never count him out,” said the 79-year-old.

“Nobody ever said ‘how’s your record, Jack?’ as I’ve always said that if Tiger comes back and plays then I’ve said he’s still got a shot at breaking my record.

“Whether he does or he doesn’t, and even with now 10-years passing it doesn’t make any difference he’s still a great athlete and a great golfer.”

But while Woods has not tasted success since 2013 in capturing a remarkable eighth WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title, Nicklaus does believe Woods needs to learn how to win again.

“Tiger does need to learn how to win again, absolutely,” said Nicklaus.