Rabat: Golf legend Jack Nicklaus confidently expects Tiger Woods to beat his record of 18 Majors when his disgraced American compatriot returns to the sport in April.
Woods will play The Masters in Augusta, where he won the first of his 14 Majors, following a five-month lay-off over a sex scandal that wrecked his iconic image.
"I thought if he did not play this year it would make it more difficult, but I expect him to pass my record," Nicklaus told reporters.
"He's still a young guy and such a great talent. I did what I did and I'm sure he'll do what he can do.”
"He's going to return - that's good for the game of golf and that's good for Tiger because that's what he is. He's a golfer. He should play the game that he loves and the game he competes well at and dominates."
Nicklaus was speaking at Dar Es Salaam Golf Club in Rabat where the European Tour's Hassan II Trophy gets underway on Thursday.
"Golf is growing internationally and tournaments are being played now in Asia, Australia, Africa - all over the globe. It’s great to have an event in Morocco, and I’m pleased to be here and be part of how the game is developing," Nicklaus, 70, told the European Tour website.
"The tournament this week is great because there are players and amateurs from all over the world and it brings people together, which is what golf is all about."
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 09:35