Tiger Woods licking his lips at Major venues he has previously conquered

How many Major victories would Tiger Woods have under his belt had back problems not played a significant role in hindering his progress?

With the best part of four seasons lost to injury, it is reasonable to suggest that Woods would already be alongside or past Jack Nicklaus in the list of Major champions had fitness never been an issue.

Instead, Woods remains four behind but there is every reason to believe the catching-up process can start in 2019. Whisper it joyfully to loved ones over your Christmas pudding – it is even feasible Tiger could catch Nicklaus by July.

An historic Grand Slam is required for Woods to propel himself from 14 Major wins to 18 – a glorious feat available at 1,000-1 with Coral and Ladbrokes. It is obviously unlikely, but a few beans at those odds could ignite a fun ride, as the 2019 Major venues appeal greatly to a back-to-form Tiger.

Woods regained his place in the golfing elite last season, his Tour Championship triumph the icing on the cake of a superb comeback campaign in which he contended in the Open and the US PGA. His lacklustre last three outings are easily forgiven – he was exhausted at the Ryder Cup, which came straight after the Tour Championship, rusty for his $9m match against Phil Mickelson, then he was ill and lacking focus for the Hero World Challenge.

Punters should remember the Woods who dominated at East Lake at the end of September. His target since that emotional triumph has been further Major glory and he will be licking his lips at the courses selected for the US PGA and the US Open.

The four-time Masters champ will expect to be a factor in April at his beloved Augusta, where he won by 12 shots in 1997, and he has also been an emphatic winner at two more of the courses being used for a 2019 Major. He won the 2000 US Open by 15 shots at Pebble Beach, which hosts the same tournament in June, and the 2002 US Open by three shots at Bethpage Black, where the US PGA will take place in May.

The Majors season has been compressed this year for the first time, heightening the chances of the first calendar-year Grand Slam of the modern era as any potential 'Slammer' has only to retain top form from April 11 to July 21. The US PGA has been moved from August to May, so there is a Major a month from April through July. Just over three months of brilliance is required.

Royal Portrush, the one Major venue Woods has never tackled, may actually be the one which suits him best. Links nous and course-management – Tiger strengths – will be invaluable at a track that has not hosted the Open since 1951. Nicklaus says the swing of Woods has never been better and he may be right. There has been a solidity about Tiger's technique since his spinal fusion surgery.

If Woods fails, the other prime candidate to take advantage of the new schedule and threaten the Slam must be Brooks Koepka, who has become a Majors colossus over the last few years and is also well equipped to contend in all four. The world number one is a 500-1 chance for the Slam.

Recommendations
T Woods to win four Majors
0.5pt 1,000-1 Coral, Ladbrokes
T Woods to win exactly three Majors
0.5pt 200-1 Coral, Ladbrokes
B Koepka to win four Majors
0.5pt 500-1 Betfair, Paddy Power
B Koepka to win three or more Majors
0.5pt 175-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

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