• US Open

Nicklaus backs Tiger to break his record

ESPN staff
June 2, 2010
Tiger Woods remains confident

Jack Nicklaus still believes world No. 1 Tiger Woods can pass his record of 18 major-championship wins despite his recent personal problems.

Woods, who is set to return from a neck injury at Memorial this week, currently sits four titles behind the 'Golden Bear' but has not won a major since claiming the US Open in 2008. Revelations regarding his personal life have rocked the 36-year-old's game since then and he missed the cut at Quail Hollow last month with the highest 36-hole score of his career.

Nicklaus still believes, though, that Woods can rediscover his form and sees no reason why he cannot win this month's US Open at Pebble Beach.

"I don't think my feeling has changed," Nicklaus said. "I felt for a long time that my record would probably get broken some day. Tiger is the best player that's come along in a long time.

"I suspect No. 15 will come for him in about two weeks at the US Open.

"Do I still think Tiger will break my record? Yeah, I think he probably will. He is a very dedicated, hard-working golfer. But then again, I've always said you have to do it. It's not just a gimme. You've got to go do it. We'll watch.

"Pebble Beach and St Andrews were important golf courses for him. He basically won on those fairly easily through the years. If he has problems with those golf courses, sure, they won't come around for a while. Maybe it might be tougher."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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