Montgomerie unsure Woods can break record for golf majors

Record-holder Nicklaus 'was being diplomatic' when asked about fellow American's chances, says 'Monty'. Steve Elling reports.

Colin Montgomerie, left, smirked and said Jack Nicklaus, centre, was being 'very diplomatic' when the Golden Bear said Tiger Woods, right, can still catch and pass his record of 18 major titles. Woods is stuck on 14.
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Colin Montgomerie, at the peak of his powers, was one of the most entertaining interviews in the sport.

Well, at least on the days when he played well. Otherwise, he was prickly as a barrel cactus.

He's certainly been glib and gabby in his part-time role as a golf analyst.

While some global eyeballs roll whenever "Monty" makes a proclamation on US or UK television about the majors – he never won a grand-slam event – it does not necessarily diminish the points he makes.

Sunday night on the Golf Channel, when talk turned to the struggles of Tiger Woods at the majors, Monty teed it high and let it fly.

Moments after Jack Nicklaus asserted that he still expects Woods to break his record of 18 major championships, Monty flashed a smirk that could be seen half a world away.

"Jack was being diplomatic," Monty said, failing to suppress a smile. "Very diplomatic."

Woods has been stuck at 14 major titles since 2008.

When he next marches into Augusta, it will have been nine years since he won his last Masters title.

To top Nicklaus's mark, Monty noted that Woods must match the career totals of Seve Ballesteros and Phil Mickelson – who won five majors apiece – to reach 19.

The Scot all but harrumphed when asked on the air if Woods, who turns 38 in December, could pull it off.

His response: "Five more, with the standard right now, and the competition right now?

"No."

With every passing year, it gets harder to argue the point.

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