Woods looks to Nicklaus' record once more
He may have struggled for any kind of win so far this year, but Tiger Woods is setting his sights high for 2011.
Woods has already put together an impressive haul of 14 majors over his career. But the troubled star hasn't added to that number since his victory at the 2008 US Open, and the well documented revelations about his private life have resulted in some extremely shaky play this year, leading some to suggest that Woods may never top Nicklaus' record of 18 major wins.
Woods himself made it clear yesterday that he is still targeting Nicklaus' record, however. Speaking to Radio 5 Live, the player was adamant, saying: "It's the highest benchmark there is."
"It took Jack over 20 years [and] I'm only 34. I have a lot of great years ahead of me. It's a matter of just being confident and getting better."
Aside from two fourth place finishes at the Masters and the US Open, Woods has failed to impress in 2010, his failure to reach his previous high standards culminating in this week's loss of the No. 1 spot to England's Lee Westwood. But Woods could reclaim his position at the top after this week's tournament, the WGC HSBC Champions, should he be capable of putting together a strong enough performance in Shanghai.
Despite 2010's so far lacklustre results, Woods is favourite for the Champions, even in a strong field where eight of the world's top 10 are players present. Woods certainly looked to have recaptured some of his previous panache at his last outing, comfortably defeating Francesco Molinari during the final day's play at the Ryder Cup last month.
That hardly points towards a straightforward victory for Woods, of course; though Westwood is recovering from injury, he will want to put in a performance worthy of a world No. 1, while defending champion Phil Mickelson and Martin Kaymer, already a four-time winner this year on the European Tour, are both capable of deposing Westwood as world No. 1 with strong enough finishes at the Sheshan course.
Not that Woods is focusing on that; a win this week would be welcomed by the player, just to get what he calls a fresh 'w' under his belt - but it is clearly the majors that really motivates Woods.
"I'm only 34 - Ben Hogan didn't start winning his [majors] until after my age - all nine of them," Woods pointed out defiantly.
Clearly, the man isn't lacking in determination. If the idea that Woods can ever again approach the level that saw him dominate the game for more than a decade seems fanciful, it's worth bearing in mind that Woods' entire career to date has been a gloriously improbable one. At the very least, this week's sojourn to China promises to be fascinating.
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