……..Fatiha Betscher, Pacific Palisades, CA

Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus believes Tiger Woods is so dedicated he will eventually break clear of a form slump and go on to surpass Nicklaus Majors record.

“I think Tiger will turn it around,” Nicklaus said during an appearance Friday morning on the Golf Channel. “He’s too dedicated, he works too hard at it, he’s got too much talent. He’ll figure it out.”

Woods currently is taking a break from competitive golf, saying that his game is not acceptable to compete at PGA Tour. Woods has competed in just two events this  year, missing the cut at the Waste Management Phoenix Open by 12 shots, then withdrawing the following week during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open due to tightness in his back.

He announced this week that he would not play The Honda Classic, which means he will not be eligible for the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship. He has not announced when he will make his next start.

“Tiger is struggling. I don’t think there’s any question about that,” Nickl

Tiger Woods speaking with Jack Nicklaus at the Memorial. (Photo – www.pgatour.com

us said. “I think he’s struggling more between his ears than he is any place else.

“He’s struggled with the driver most of his life really, but he’s always been able to find the golf ball and get it somewhere back around the green. And now he’s having trouble with the short game. That is not a good combination — to drive it poorly and have a bad short game.”

In November, Woods announced that he was working with a new swing coach, Chris Como. But Nicklaus thinks Woods shouldn’t rely on others to help solve his problems.

“Personally, I think he needs to figure it out himself,” Nicklaus said. “Because a teacher can’t teach what’s inside your head. You’ve got to be able to put that positive thought into your head yourself.”

Woods has not won a major since the 2008 U.S. Open, remaining four shy of Nicklaus’ record 18 majors. But Nicklaus still expects to be caught and passed by the 39-year-old Woods.

“Why would I not think that?” Nicklaus said. “He’s got a lot of golf in front of him. But it’s going to be up to him. He’s still got to do it. He may, he may not.

“Obviously, chances are harder for him now than five years ago, but I still think he has time on his side.”

* Thank you to www.pgatour.com