McIlroy more likely to break Nicklaus' record than Woods, says Norman

COOLUM, Australia -- Former world No. 1 Greg Norman believes Rory McIlroy has a better chance to break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships than Tiger Woods.

Woods claimed his 14th major at the 2008 U.S. Open in a dramatic 19-hole play-off with Rocco Mediate, but has not won one since. And Norman, speaking at the Australian PGA Championship, would like to see McIlroy -- who has two majors to his name -- be the man to surpass Nicklaus instead.

"I don't think so, no," Norman said on Wednesday, when asked if Woods was capable of winning the five majors he requires to pass Nicklaus. "Every year that passes by that he hasn't won a major it just gets that much harder to win a major.

"I don't care how many you have won, it just becomes more and more difficult," he added. "He might win one or two more but I don't think he will win the four or five more that he needs to win to break the record."

McIlroy won the U.S. Open in 2011 and this year's PGA Championship, and Norman says the sky is the limit for the talented 23-year-old.

"I think if anybody can break Nicklaus' record I think he could, because he is young, he is ahead of the game, he is ahead of the curve on a lot of things and he has a very balanced life across the board," Norman said. "So I will keep my fingers crossed for him because I would love to see that happen.

"Somebody will do it one day and it could be Rory," he added. "I am a big fan of Rory's. He can be as big as he wants to be."