INCHEON, South Korea — Jack Nicklaus said Tiger Woods can still beat his record of 18 major championships — provided he can stay in control of his mental game.
Nicklaus said Woods can achieve the feat “if he gets the 5 inches between his ears squared out.”
“I mean, Tiger has a great work ethic, he’s a great competitor, the most talented kid on the planet right now,” Nicklaus said Friday. “He’s not going to go away.”
The 35-year-old Woods has 14 major titles but has not won any tournament since revelations of infidelities in 2009 led to the collapse of his marriage and a break from the sport. This season has been partly derailed by injuries, but Nicklaus also praised the decision by U.S. captain Fred Couples to include Woods in the 12-member Presidents Cup team that will take on non-European players in Australia in November.
“How could you not pick him?” Nicklaus said. “I mean, he’s Tiger Woods.”
Wilson, Rose tied for lead
LEMONT, Ill. — Mark Wilson and Justin Rose are tied for the second-round lead of the BMW Championship.
Wilson ran off four consecutive birdies around the turn and wound up with a 5-under- par 66. Rose had a wild finish, making an eagle on the 15th hole to reclaim a share of the lead and finishing with a 68.
They were at 11-under 131 and had a two-shot lead over Webb Simpson (68).
They will be in the final group this morning, when the tee times are moved forward to finish in time for NBC Sports to televise the Notre Dame football game.
Steve Stricker withdrew because of recurring pain in his neck, putting an end to his 40 consecutive PGA Tour events in the money, the longest active streak on tour.
Footnotes.
Lexi Thompson shot a 4-under 68 for a 134 total and two-stroke lead over Stacy Lewis (68) and Becky Morgan (69) after two rounds of the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville, Ala.
• Tom Lewis, the 20-year- old Briton who rose to prominence by taking a share of the first-round lead at this year’s British Open, turned professional.
