Nicklaus thinks Woods could have '1986' moment

Jack Nicklaus is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his 1986 Masters victory.

His sixth and final victory at Augusta National Golf Club made him the oldest Masters champion, at age 46, and is often hailed as one of the greatest performances in golf history.

Nicklaus said Tuesday that another multiple Masters winner, Tiger Woods, could have a “1986” moment. Woods is missing the Masters this week because he hasn’t fully recovered from back surgeries.

Nicklaus won his 18 career majors in a 25-year span from 1962 to 1986, including three majors after age 40 (1980 U.S. Open, 1980 PGA, 1986 Masters). Woods won his 14 in a 12-year span from 1997 to 2008.

“Tiger and I both won young,” he said. “And he may span 25 years himself. I don’t think he’s done. I think Tiger’s going to win more tournaments.”

Nicklaus cited Woods’ determination and work ethic, and the two men got together when Woods visited Nicklaus’ house a few weeks ago as part of a U.S. Ryder Cup team session.

“He looked good physically,” Nick­laus said. Although Woods has downplayed his expectations, Nicklaus thinks he can still succeed.

“That’s probably an easier answer than (saying) I’m going to get back out there next week and really doing it,” Nicklaus said. “He’s probably tired of saying that. If he says the other, then all of a sudden everybody writes him off for a while and then he’s got to show up for his 1980 and his 1986. I think he’ll show up for that a little bit.”

As for his own 1986 moment, Nick­laus had a chance to screen part of the Golf Channel documentary ’86 and said it was “very memorable.” CBS will air a special on Nicklaus on Sunday leading into the final-round telecast.

“Seems like it was just yesterday we walked off the 18th green and (son and caddie) Jackie and I gave each other a hug, which to me is probably my most memorable moment in golf, having your son on the bag and being able to share that with him,” Nicklaus said.

Nicklaus attended the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night and will compete in the Par-3 Contest today.

He also weighed in on other topics:

• On whether the Masters will lengthen the par-5 13th hole: “They’ve got a lot of options of what they could do. I’m sure that from a traditionalist standpoint, the best way is probably to lengthen the hole, and then you don’t change anything else. They have done that once, bought some land from Augusta Country Club and did that.”

• On Arnold Palmer’s stepping away from the honorary starter ceremony this year: “We’ll miss Arnold as far as hitting the golf ball. I guess Arnold is coming out to the first tee. We’ll see. I have a sneaking suspicion, if Arnold wants to, he will be welcome to hit a ball if he’d like.”

• On Tom Watson, 66, who will
be retiring as a Masters competitor this year: “I think Tom’s legacy at Augusta
is very firm. What has he won, twice?
He had chances to win other times.
He’s a great player. He’s one of the best players, I’d put him in one of the best five or six players that ever played the game.”