Tiger Woods: Nicklaus’ Major record 'attainable'

Tiger Woods still harbours ambitions of breaking Jack Nicklaus’ Major-winning record despite admitting he doesn’t know when he’ll return to competitive golf

Tiger Woods: Nicklaus’ Major record 'attainable'

Tiger Woods still harbours ambitions of breaking Jack Nicklaus’ Major-winning record despite admitting he doesn’t know when he’ll return to competitive golf.

Woods, who has won 14 Majors, underwent two back procedures in late 2015 – the most recent in a long line of back and knee ailments that have inhibited him for the best part of five years.

That said, he won five PGA Tour events in the 2013 season – including the Players Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational – and showed a glimmer of promise last summer with top-18 finishes at the Wyndham Championship and the Quicken Loans National.

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Still, those events were preceded by some awful performances, like a career-worst 82 at the Phoenix Open in January 2015 and a series of horrendous chipping displays.

But Woods remains optimistic, and he revealed at a Quicken Loans National media day at Congressional Country Club that his career goals haven’t changed.

“It’s attainable,” Woods said of Nicklaus' record tally of 18 Major titles.

“I have Jack on the regular wins. Sam’s record (PGA Tour wins) I’d like to get as well. I’m number two on both lists. It would be nice to end as number one.”

On the prospect of an imminent comeback, Woods revealed he doesn’t have a return date in mind.

“If I knew, I’d tell you, because it would be fun to know,” he said.

“I have been practising at home, I’m progressing nicely. I’m hoping to play, I don’t know if I can play.

“It’s frustrating not being able to play at Augusta, Bay Hill, Doral, places I’ve played really well. Sitting still is how you get better; that’s not in my nature.”

Woods also shed some light on his current practice routine, and how he’s been forced to adapt.

“I used to practise eight, ten, 12 hours a day; that’s not happening again,” he said. “My practices are more focused now. I have to get more out of it in a shorter amount of time.”