belfasttelegraph

Monday 20 May 2013

Nicklaus cautious over McIlroy

Rory McIlroy

Jack Nicklaus has predicted US Open champion Rory McIlroy will win many more major titles but warned: "Don't anoint him as the crown prince yet."

American Nicklaus, whose 18 majors make him golf's most successful player, sees Northern Irishman McIlroy staying at the top of the sport for years to come. However, Nicklaus added a note of caution, insisting it was too early to judge McIlroy, 22, as a player who will dominate golf.

Nicklaus told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme. "He has won one major. When he starts to win two, three or four, then you can say he's the guy we've got to watch, period. But until that time comes, he's one of a group of talented players that have got an opportunity to win."

He added: "I think Rory will add a lot of majors. Rory is a very talented young man who's been a factor in every one of the majors over the last year.

"He could have won the Masters and the US Open, he could have won the British Open last year. He's a talented young man we're going to see on the scene for a long time."

Ian Poulter, McIlroy's Ryder Cup team-mate, expects big things of McIlroy at the Open Championship, which begins at Royal St George's on Thursday.

"His form can only be good - he won the US Open the last time he played," said Poulter.

"There's going to be lot of media attention around him, not only from the US Open but there'll be a lot of pressure on him to deliver again at the Open.

"But he'll be in great form.

"He's a naturally good ball-striker and he's going to be ready to go and hungry to try to win."

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