JACK NICKLAUS INSISTS that Tiger Woods is anything but a spent force, and that he can still beat his record of 18 Major championships as long as he gets his head together.
Nicklaus praised the work ethic of the former world number one, whose game has never recovered after revelations about his private life in 2009, insisting he will get to 18 Majors “if he gets the five inches between his ears squared out.”
Woods currently has 14 Major titles to his name.
“Tiger has a great work ethic, he’s a great competitor, the most talented kid on the planet right now,” Nicklaus told The Associated Press in an interview. “He’s not going to go away.”
This season has seen Woods struggle with a number of injuries and he has slumped to 46th in the world rankings. However, US captain Fred Couples included him in his 12-man team for November’s Presidents Cup in Australia, a decision praised by Nicklaus.
“How could you not pick him,” the Golden Bear said. “I mean he’s Tiger Woods, he’s the best player in the game. He may not be playing his best today, but he’s still Tiger Woods.”
