Will Tiger Woods "Absolutely" Break Jack Nicklaus Record?

It’s amazing what one great round of golf can do for a man’s confidence.

According to a report from ESPNNewyork.com, when asked after his press conference today at Ridgewood Country Club whether he still believes he will break Jack Nicklaus record, Woods responded by saying “absolutely.”

That’s a far cry from three weeks ago when Woods was questioning whether or not he even deserved a spot on the 2010 American Ryder Cup team.

Woods’ will turn 35 in December and has not won a major championship since his triumph at Torrey Pines back in 2008 while playing on a broken leg.

History has shown us that, aside from Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus, players tend not to win many majors past the age of 35.

However, we have now entered a much different era in golf and sports in general.

As a result of the increased level of physical fitness in modern day sports, quarterbacks are playing into their 40s with ease.

Baseball players are smacking 500 foot home runs and pitching no-hitters into their 40s.

And golfers continue to win big-time events into their mid and even late 40s.

Heck, Tom Watson very nearly won the British Open last year at the age of 59.

Although Woods stating that he will “absolutely” break Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championships may be construed as vastly over-confident, particularly after the year he’s had, we also have to remember that even though history can often predict the future, we are now dealing with a far different game then we were 20-30 years ago.

The prime years of all athletes have extended as a result of physical fitness, smart diets and modern day equipment.

Yes, history has shown us that more often than not, great golfers start their decline after the age of 35.  

But history doesn’t account for the significant advances we have seen in sports over the past decade.

Although “absolutely” may be a bit bullish, writing Woods’ chances off completely would be downright foolish.