Jack Nicklaus has said that Tiger Woods can still beat his record total of 18 major championships provided he gets control of his mental game.

Nicklaus, known as The Golden Bear, said Woods can achieve the feat "if he gets the five inches between his ears squared out".

Woods has won 14 majors, the last being the 2008 US Open, but since then his form has dipped sharply after a sex scandal and collapse of his marriage which caused him to take a break from the game.

Nicklaus also praised the decision by US captain Fred Couples to name Woods in the 12-member Presidents Cup team.