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Tiger planning long-term assault on Nicklaus' record

Tiger Woods still has his eye on Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 Major titles © Getty Images

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Tiger Woods insists he still has time on his side in his bid to break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 Major titles.

The 14-time Major champion faces losing his grip on the No. 1 ranking he has occupied for the last five years, but the 34-year-old has dismissed suggestions that he is on the slide and believes he will still be a top player into his forties.

"Guys like Vijay Singh and Kenny Perry have shown you can be very competitive well into your forties - especially if you look after yourself," said Woods, who last won the US Open in 2008 just two months after having knee surgery.

"In the past maybe the guys burnt out earlier because they didn't pace themselves or didn't pay as much attention to fitness as we do now."

Nicklaus has suggested that Woods needs to win either the US Open at Pebble Beach or The Open at St Andrews if he is to have a hope of matching his record, but Woods insists he is not feeling the pressure.

"Yes, this is a big year because we're playing on courses where I've been successful in the past - and I like the way they set up for my game," he said. "But even if the courses aren't such a great fit for my game, it doesn't mean you cannot win on them.

"And you get the same four chances to win every year. Every year is a big year in the Majors and I've got a chance to play in a lot more of them.

"My 14 Majors are all very special to me and of course I want to win more. That isn't going to change because I love the game, I love practising and I love to compete. If that did change I'd have to get the hell out of here."

Woods is paired with world No. 3 Lee Westwood and Ernie Els for the opening round on Thursday, and the world No. 1 is relishing the high-profile match-up.

"I'm looking forward to it even more because I've got a great pairing," he said. "It seems like I get Westy in every Major! But he is playing great, with his win in Memphis, and it's terrific to have Ernie in the group too."

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