Tiger Woods News: 14-Time Major Champ Ready To Play Golf After 16-Month Absence; Jack Nicklaus Believes Woods Could Pass His Record?

The 14-time major champ Tiger Woods is finally back from the grave after a 16-month absence from playing golf. While Woods had his latest foot in the door at Thursday's Hero World Challenge, Jack Nicklaus believes that Tiger Woods could still pass his record of 18 major titles.

According to ABC Sports News, Tiger Woods told the media that he was still not dead. The 40-years-old 14-time major champ arrived in the Bahamas on Saturday and played nine holes. Tiger Woods then spent some two and a half hours Sunday on the driving range and in a testing center using a new device called TrackMan to measure various distances and launch angles. It was a process that is more daunting now than Woods long-time sponsor Nike which is no longer making golf clubs and Woods has an array of choices.

The fun is just getting started at the #heroworldchallenge. Thanks to everyone @HeroMotoCorp for helping us put on a great show this week. pic.twitter.com/gVqo15Yy7E

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 29, 2016

Many companies sent Woods clubs to try their latest device but it only caused the 14-time major champ a headache. ESPN Sports News reported that, for now, Tiger Woods is sticking with his Nike irons and experimenting with various woods, which was a TaylorMade driver with 3-wood and 5-wood. On Sunday, Tiger Woods dropped a bit of news that he's using a Bridgestone golf ball.

According to BBC Sports News, Tiger Woods had recovered from multiple back surgeries and says that at last, he is ready to compete again. But Jack Nicklaus believed that the prolonged absence was as much a mental issue as down to physical problems.

The 76-year-old Nicklaus who was speaking after appearing at the HSBC Golf Business Forum in Florida insisted golf has not suffered during Woods' absence. Jack Nicklaus said that while Tiger Woods been gone, golf sports had a pretty good run with a lot of very good young players who have come forward.

"Golf is not on one person's shoulder anymore. It was nice to have Tiger come back and play well. I'm sure Woods will be great for the game of golf and he's got some great competition with the young guys out there today" said Nicklaus.

With many speculations going on, can Tiger Woods really win his 15th title?