Jack Nicklaus makes Tiger major prediction

Jack Nicklaus believes Tiger Woods will not break his record haul of major championship victories.

The Golden Bear’s total of 18 wins has long been the No.1 target in Woods’ crosshairs. He was only 32 when he sealed his 14th triumph in the game’s marquee events but, since then, has been able to add only one more – the 2019 Masters – following a succession of injuries.

Now 48 and playing a limited schedule following his near-fatal car crash in February 2021, he is three wins short of equaling Nicklaus and four away from holding the record outright.

That, says Jack, is too tall a task.

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Appearing on Golf Channel, he said: “If he remained healthy I think he would’ve gotten it, but he didn’t remain healthy. I feel bad for him.”

He did, however, make a far more positive prediction for the next chapter of Woods’ career.

“I think Tiger will play the senior tour,” he added. “He’d be able to get in a cart, and he’ll absolutely kill everybody.”

Nicklaus also weighed in on the subject of the ongoing PGA Tour-LIV Golf ‘ceasefire’ talks.

The deadline for those discussions – originally December 31 – has now been pushed until the Masters and, like most in and around the game, Nicklaus is hoping for a successful resolution.

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“I talked to Jay [Monahan] about three weeks ago,” he revealed. “I don’t really know where they’re going. I hope that they get this thing together all in the best interest of the game of golf.

“The LIV thing has been a powerful addition to the game, probably impacted a lot more than we thought it was going to, but it has, and it probably will continue to do so.”

On the subject of embattled PGA Tour commissioner Monahan, he added: “I know he’s taken a beating, but I’ve always been in full support of Jay. Everything Jay’s done has been in the best interest of golf and the tour.”