Tiger Woods positive he can overhaul Jack Nicklaus’ record

Tiger Woods remains confident he can overhaul Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors in spite of his faltering form this year.

The former world No.1 has been inconsistent so far in 2012, mixing a dominant victory of old at Bay Hill with a missed cut at Quail Hollow and poor performances at the Masters and the Players Championship.

Throughout the year he’s spoken of his game and swing as if he was a mechanic rather than a sportsman, with criticism thrown his way for it.

However, he’s never strayed from his belief that he can get back to his best and, as he gets ready to tee it up at the Memorial today, the American ace once again claimed he’ll better the Golden Bear’s record.

“I figure it’s going to take a career,” said the 36-year-old, who already has 14 Majors to his name.

“It took Jack 24 years. This is my 17th year into it. I still feel like I’ve got plenty of time.

“It’s about giving myself the most amount of opportunities to win them on the back nine on Sunday. The more chances I give myself, I figure I’m going to clip a few of them.”

Woods will have his first opportunity to add to his impressive tally in two weeks’ time when the US Open gets under way at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. As if to illustrate his changing fortunes, the tournament will mark four years since he last got his hands on a ‘big four’ title.

However, before then he has the Memorial to worry about. The event, taking place at Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village course, is packed with star names and Woods knows it will take something special to do well, saying: “It’s going to be one heck of a test.”

Woods added of the problems in his swing that he has addressed with swing coach Sean Foley: “We’re excited about what we’re working on. I hadn’t played well in a couple of weeks but we know what it is. It’s a matter of getting [repetitions] in and getting the trust in it.”

The Californian also insisted his love of the game remained undiminished, saying: “I love competing, mixing it up with the guys, trying to beat all of them. That’s the rush, that’s the fun. Obviously it’s a lot more fun when you’re winning than when you’re 40th.”