Lopresti: Tiger can still catch Jack, but it won't be easy

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Time for the Masters. But we'll get to Tiger Woods in a moment. First, the bad news from Augusta National.

By Michael Madrid, USA TODAY

Tiger Woods still believes he will surpass Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors, but there are many more doubters than there used to be.

By Michael Madrid, USA TODAY

Tiger Woods still believes he will surpass Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors, but there are many more doubters than there used to be.

We regret to report the demise of one of the trees flanking Magnolia Lane, victim to a wind storm that blew through the other night during tournament week — which, of course, is strictly against Masters policy. A botanical footnote elsewhere, but a major development inside these gates.

"I was surprised it wasn't replaced in the first half hour," said Phil Mickelson, who has been around here long enough to understand how things work. "I guess it has 60 magnolia trees now instead of 61."

Matter of fact, Masters chairman Billy Payne did mention Wednesday that something would be done, but he wasn't sure what yet, since "150-year-old magnolias are in short supply for transplanting."

It's the Masters, where any blip of a change makes noise, including a falling tree.

For instance, the place is going high-tech.

An online lottery for actual tournament badges will begin next year, which will be like signing up every mosquito in Georgia for admission to a picnic. There'll be a gazillion entries. "Not a real good chance," Payne said of any one individual's odds. "But it's a chance."

And there's a video game out featuring Woods and the Augusta National course. Payne tried it with his 12-year-old grandson. "I quit after nine holes. I told him my back was hurting," he said. "He was up seven in our match play."

Speaking of progress, or more precisely the lack thereof, Woods' haul of major championships remains at 14, just where it was nearly three years ago. He's as plugged as an 8-iron shot into a wet bunker.

It's a pertinent number this week for a couple of reasons:

A. The Masters signals the beginning of another year in the ascent toward the peak of Mt. Nicklaus, and his 18 majors.

B. It is a reminder of how his karma has changed. Woods' majors total used to click upward like the meter on a speeding taxi.

His last click came at the 2008 U.S. Open, which gave him 14 at the age of 32. You might have noticed he's had a little trouble since then. The presumption was always that once his personal scandal cooled, his dominance would reheat. Golfdom still waits for the second part. He has not won anything since the fire hydrant.

Now he's 35 — Tiger Woods, 35? — and it is no longer a lock that he will just roll past Nicklaus. Once, it was not a matter of if, but when. Another dry year or two, and it won't be a matter of when, but if.

The smart money would still say yes. But you begin to wonder now how many more swing changes and coaching changes it might take.

"Absolutely I want to do it," Woods said at his Masters news conference about his Nicklaus-passing intentions. "That's what the benchmark and gold standard in this sport is, 18."

But will he?

"Mmm-hmm."

We'll take that as a yes.

The matter was taken to Nicklaus, who is otherwise engaged in reliving 25 years ago, when he charged to an immortal Masters victory at 46.

"I don't think too much about it, to be honest," he said. "Too busy doing other things.

"I've said many times that he's got a great work ethic and he's a very talented young man. And equipment will help extend his career beyond what it extended mine. I assume that he'll get his focus back on what he's doing and he will probably pass my record.

"But then the last part I always say about it is, he's still got to do it. If you look at what he's got to do, he's still got to win five more, and that's more than a career for anybody else playing."

For the record, Nicklaus won six majors after turning 35. If Woods can match that, he's there. But it won't be easy. It should never be as easy as it once looked it would be in the old days, back when Woods owned the world and 61 trees stood on Magnolia Lane.

Lopresti also writes for Gannett

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