Dubai: Cheyenne Woods has backed her uncle Tiger to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors after his comeback from injury this week.
The 14-time Major winner finished 15th out of 17 players with a score of four under par at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas over the weekend.
It was the 40-year-old American’s first PGA Tour appearance in 466 days and saw the World No.898’s odds for next year’s Masters slashed to 20/1.
“From what we saw this past week, I think Tiger definitely has many more wins in him,” said Cheyenne, 26, who is playing in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club this week.
“Next season will be really exciting to see him play hopefully a full schedule, or whatever he might put together. I think he definitely has a chance,” she said of overtaking Nicklaus.
“It was really exciting to see him not only on the course but playing well. That’s the Tiger we’ve all missed. I think everyone was happy to see the fist pump and see Tiger making birdies and holing bunker shots, because that’s the Tiger we all remember.
“As a golf fan it’s just great to see him playing golf again. Tiger is the greatest golfer that’s ever played, and the greatest golfer in my lifetime, at least.”
Cheyenne added that Tiger’s comeback would help lift her own game this week.
“The thing I get from watching Tiger play well is just inspiration. Just seeing how hard he’s worked on coming back from injury and getting back into a playing position.
“To see him playing great golf, no matter what he’s gone through with injuries, and to see him come back and be the greatest golfer that we know, I think that inspires a lot of us golfers who grew up watching him play.
“I know a lot of us out here play golf because of him. He’s just an inspiration, and it helps you believe that you are capable of playing great golf no matter what you go through.”
Asked if there was a downside to being Tiger’s niece, given that questions revolved around him and not her, she replied: “I guess you could see it as a blessing and curse, but for me that’s all I’ve ever known.
“Ever since I was 10-years-old I’ve had this. This kind of comes with the territory, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love having Tiger as my uncle and to have that resource of knowledge and inspiration to look up to.
“You also have the added attention, but because I’ve had it for so long, I’ve sort of grown used to it, and you try and block it out. You figure out how to deal with it eventually.”
