Nicklaus: Tiger 'Pretty awesome'

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland ( AP) -- Jack Nicklaus watched the final round of the British Open from his home in Florida before heading out to the golf course to watch some of his grandchildren hit balls.

This was simply Nicklaus doing what he loves best, spending time with his family just two days after he retired from competitive golf. He was hardly grooming a champion to stop Tiger Woods' pursuit of his record 18 professional major titles.

Based on what he saw Sunday at St. Andrews, there might be no stopping Woods, anyway.

"I have to say, that is the best I have seen Tiger swing," Nicklaus said not long after Woods shot a 2-under 70, the only round under par among the final 14 players who teed off on an Old Course that was fast, firm and fiery.

"Tiger has been working on his game, and he certainly seemed to find it at St. Andrews," Nicklaus said. "Tiger looked in total control; he never looked like there was a chance for him to lose. It was a pretty awesome performance."

It was the 10th major title for the 29-year-old Woods, leaving him one behind Walter Hagen and eight away from the benchmark many thought never would be matched, much less broken. Nicklaus was 32 when he won his 10th major title in the 1970 British Open at St. Andrews.

"There's a few people cursing their luck now," said Colin Montgomerie, who challenged Woods briefly but had to settle for winning the B-flight at this British Open. "But you have to beat Tiger. If he stays fit and healthy ... he has 10 of these majors now, and we all know Jack had 18. Can he achieve the impossible? He's on his way."

This one had a look of familiarity to it.

Whenever he wins a major by such large margins -- five shots over Montgomerie -- it raises the question whether Woods is that good or his competition is not up to the task.

"What we've seen is that he went ahead of the pack very early in his career," Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson said Monday. "There was an element of catching up by other players. He raised the standard. And now, he seems to be stepping forward again. We'll see if the others step up to the challenge."