Golden Bear welcomes Tiger's best shot

Can't help but wonder what Tiger Woods was thinking last weekend when he heard that Jack Nicklaus was warning him about the dangers of sitting out the 2010 majors season.

In an exclusive interview with the Golf Channel's Tim Rosaforte, Nicklaus admitted he didn't want anyone to break his record of 18 major championship victories. At the same time, Nicklaus also said he didn't want to see Tiger not break his record because of injury or personal problems.

If Oldgolfdawg were Tiger, he would take that as a challenge. You know, kind of like, "Hey Tiger, catch me if you can." In a conference call to members of the media last Friday, Nicklaus was asked whether Woods' indefinite leave from the PGA Tour creates more doubt about him surpassing Nicklaus' mark.

"If Tiger is going to pass my record, I think this is a big year for him in that regard," Nicklaus said. "If he doesn't play this year, then obviously the chore will be a little tougher."

This year's first three majors are being played on courses where Woods has won multiple times and by record margins. Of Woods' 14 major championships, seven have been won at Augusta National (four), Pebble Beach (one) and St. Andrews (two). Woods, 34, has been a regular in the mix at Augusta National every year. But the U.S. Open won't return to Pebble Beach again until Woods is in his 40s. The British Open will return the Old Course in five-year intervals when Woods is 39, 44 and 49.

Before Woods' personal life came crashing down on him the day after Thanksgiving because of later admitted infidelity, the assumption of many that he would catch Nicklaus was based partly on the belief Tiger would have a big 2010 major season. Now that has come into question and wide-ranging speculation continues over when Woods will return.

"If he works on the emotional things he needs to heal, I could see 2011," John Cook, a close friend of Woods, told Golfweek. "It wouldn't surprise me at all."

Butch Harmon, Woods' former swing coach, expects a faster rebound. "Those who say he won't play again are crazy," Harmon told Sky Sports. "People who say he probably won't play this year, I don't really believe that. If you want to put a timetable on it, I'd say you may see him in Florida before the U.S. Masters."

Whatever happens, Nicklaus isn't worried about golf's future, saying: “Tiger always has been a big influence on the game. But the game had Bobby Jones, the game had Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Nicklaus. The game always survived that. The game will continue to go forward. Tiger is a big influence, probably the largest one we ever had. And certainly, we hope he comes back and plays. It’s not all about one person. The game is a big game.”