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 Nicklaus, in New York to accept the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award
presented to him by Sports Illustrated magazine on Tuesday, said he
thought Woods should make sure he is healed from his back woes
before returning to competition.
"I don't know how much he'll return next year. I don't know whether
his health will allow him to return next year," Nicklaus told
Reuters before being given the award for embodying the ideals of
sportsmanship, leadership and philanthropy.
"I know he'll want to, but I think he needs to be patient. Don't
come back too soon, let him get healthy."
Woods, who will turn 40 this month, recently revealed he had
undergone a second procedure in less than two months on his lower
back and third in 18 months and did not know when he would be able
to return to practice.
"He's such a great athlete and such a good competitor. I think he'll
come back, but don't hurt yourself. Be patient. He's got a lot of
good golf left in him," said Nicklaus.
That said, Nicklaus believes Woods will find the competition stiff
upon his return.
"We've got a bunch of young players that are really good. They have
benefited from Tiger's misfortune," Nicklaus said of the likes of
Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy.
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"Instead of Tiger just dominating the game, they've had the ability
to learn how to win without having somebody dominate over them.
"I firmly believe Tiger will be back and when he does, he's going to
have a bunch of guys that are pretty hungry and trying to win and
know how to do it."
Asked if he thought his record haul of 18 was safe from Woods, the
75-year-old Nicklaus said: "Who knows? I don't know whether it's
safe or not. If it isn't, it's OK. I think Tiger will come back and
he's got more to win."
(Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
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