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LONDON: Tiger Woods has been backed to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors by none other than the golfing great himself.
Woods ended a five-year winless run on Sunday, claiming victory in the Tour Championship to usher in emotional and frenzied scenes at the East Lake Golf Club. This time last year, after a fourth back operation, it was widely assumed his time as a top-class golfer was over. But this year has seen him hit those predictions into the long rough as he has found form and fun on the fairways once again.
And fresh off Woods’ first “W” since 2013 Nicklaus predicted more titles for Tiger, not least in respect of the American’s charge to try to overhaul the all-time great’s record of 18 Majors.
Woods has been stuck on 14 Majors since 2008, and it has been generally accepted that having looked all but certain to reach Nicklaus’ mark, Woods’ personal and injury problems would mean he would not get close to the 78-year-old’s mark.
“Maybe Tiger’s got another 40 Majors to play. Out of 40 majors can he win five of them?” Nicklaus, known as the Golden Bear, said.
“He’s playing well enough. It depends how much he wants to work at it, how interested he is, and long he wants to make a commitment to do that.
“With today’s equipment, and the way the guys take care of themselves, I think they could play well into their 50s.
“I’m proud of him. He’s worked very hard to get his golf game back. He even worked really hard to get the five inches between his head thinking the right way again.”
For now all thoughts of getting back on the Major-winning trail will doubtless be put to the back of Woods’ mind, with the Ryder Cup starting on Friday. Ahead of the biennial battle against Europe, Woods revealed how much the Tour Championship win meant.
“I was having a hard time not crying on the last hole,” Woods said, his voice choking at times. “I just can’t believe I pulled this off.
“It hasn’t been so easy the last couple of years. It’s hard to believe I was able to do it again.
“(This win) is certainly up there with obviously all the Major championships I’ve won,” Woods added.
“I just didn’t know whether this would ever happen again. It means a lot. It really does.”
Phil Mickelson, once Woods’ arch-rival, led the tributes to his Ryder Cup teammate.
“He’s played such good golf all year that it is just not surprising,” he said.
“Tiger’s played so well on a very difficult golf course and we almost kind of expected it.
“We never doubted he would not win again, not from what I’ve seen (with the way) he’s been swinging the club.
“It was just a matter of time.”