Golf legend Jack Nicklaus said Friday that Tiger Woods can still overtake his record of 18 major championships "if he gets the five inches between his ears squared out."
Woods lifted the last of his 14 majors at the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines and has not won anywhere since November 2009. It was shortly after that win in Melbourne that revelations of infidelities led to the collapse of his marriage and a break from the sport while his 2011 season has been interrupted by injuries.
But Nicklaus is still backing Woods, who has slumped to 46th in the world rankings, to come good again.
"Tiger has a great work ethic, he's a great competitor, the most talented kid on the planet right now," Nicklaus said. "He's not going to go away."
Nicklaus, who was speaking at a Champions Tour event in South Korea, also backed the decision by US captain Fred Couples to give Woods a wildcard pick for November's Presidents Cup.
He said Tiger's name alone should guarantee his selection in Australia.
"How could you not pick him," Nicklaus 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."
