Nicklaus: Tiger can still beat record

Published on Wednesday 17 March 2010 22:16

HAVING announced he'll be returning to golf at next month's Masters, Jack Nicklaus has revealed he still expects Tiger Woods to beat his record of 18 majors.

Speaking in Morocco, where he was conducting a clinic on the eve of the Hassan Trophy, Nicklaus said he welcomed the world No 1's comeback at Augusta. "He's going to return – that's good for the game of golf and that's good for Tiger because that's what he is. He's a golfer," said Nicklaus.

"He should play the game that he loves and the game he competes well at. Not just competes well at, he dominates at.

"I think everybody is anxious to see what happens. I thought if he did not play this year it would make it more difficult, but I expect him to pass my record. He's still a young guy and such a great talent. I did what I did and I'm sure he'll do what he can do."

Colin Montgomerie, Europe's Ryder Cup captain, has also welcomed Woods' decision to return to golf, saying the game's top player had been "missed by players and fans" alike.

Montgomerie, who is currently in Houston working with his coach, Paul Marchand, was probably thinking he'd have Woods for company in next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

Instead the 34-year-old confirmed on Tuesday his intention to compete in the opening major of the year at Augusta without playing a warm-up tournament. "It is great to hear the news that Tiger has set a date for his return," said Montgomerie. "He has certainly been missed by the players and fans and I am sure everyone is looking forward to seeing him at The Masters."

While it now seems likely that Woods will be at St Andrews in July to bid for a third successive Open Championship triumph over the Old Course, his participation in the Ryder Cup in Wales later in the year is far less certain.

Woods currently occupies the eighth and last automatic qualifying place in the United States points table, but missed out at Valhalla two years ago through injury and, in truth, has never shown a great fondness for the match.

While he's likely to get an easy ride from the fans when he returns at Augusta, Woods could face heckling at an event like the Ryder Cup where emotions run high. Montgomerie, though, says he'd prefer to try and lead Europe to victory at the Newport venue against an American team that included the world's top player.

Speaking last year as he sat alongside his American counterpart, Corey Pavin, at a press conference as part of the 'One Year To Go' celebrations, he said: "I think it would make it – and I hate to say this in front of Corey and our other American friends here – an even better win for us if we can regain the Ryder Cup with Tiger Woods in it."

One player who won't be joining Woods at The Masters is Jose Maria Olazabal. The two-time Augusta winner is again suffering from rheumatism and his manager Sergio Gomez revealed that he will be pulling out of the tournament this week. "He has pain in his shoulder, forearms and hands. He can't swing properly, so we won't be going," said Gomez.