Nicklaus backs Woods to surpass his 18-Major record despite tough current competition

Veteran American golfer Jack Nicklaus has backed world number one Tiger Woods to surpass his mark of 18 Major titles despite facing a level of competition, which he said, 'is as good as any that's ever been in golf'.

Widely regarded as the most accomplished golfer of all time, Nicklaus, who is nicknamed the 'Golden Bear', went through several major droughts in his career as he did not win for more than three years between the 1967 U.S. Open and his next title at the 1970 British Open.

According to The Japan Times, Nicklaus went through a similar stretch after his win at the 1975 PGA Championship, not winning major No. 15 until the 1978 British Open.

In view of his own stardom despite his struggles, Nicklaus said that he had never wavered from believing that the 14-time Major winner will eventually pull out of his own drought since the 2008 US Open, and win the five titles necessary to move past his (Nicklaus) record despite having competition from 'as many as good players as ever'.

However, Nicklaus thinks that the chances of one player dominating several Majors in a short time like Woods becomes less likely with recent major champions like Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott playing top-level golf, although he also said that Woods can still beat his record as he has probably got more ten more years of top golf left in him.

According to Nicklaus, one major difference between his run and Woods' chase is the national attention, adding that he did not even consider the historic context of his run until the 1972 Masters when it was mentioned that he had won the fourth of his six green jackets.