Who's the greatest - Woods or Nicklaus?

Tiger Woods has taken the golf world by storm so quickly that he is already drawing comparisons with the great Jack Nicklaus.

But while Woods is merely at the beginning of his career he still has a very long way to go before matching up to the achievements of Nicklaus.

Tiger's three titles fall well below the 18 recorded by Nicklaus but if Woods can lift The Open in the next two years then he will have beaten Nicklaus to that feat.

While Nicklaus fully expects Woods to go on and beat his record does that necessarily mean that he is already the better player?

Woods' comprehensive victories at the US Masters in 1997 and this year's US Open further highlight the domination that he looks set to enjoy for years to come.

But will he be able to maintain his consistency in the same way that Nicklaus did?

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Jack Nicklaus is the finest golfer ever to walk the planet

  John Lewis, UK

Jack Nicklaus is the finest golfer ever to walk the planet. His record speaks for itself. But it's not just the number of wins that is staggering, it's the number of second, third and fourth places as well. Added together, they offer graphic proof that he was almost always in contention, over a staggering period of time. However, all of this is secondary to the fact that he is one of the finest gentlemen ever to walk onto a golf course. His name is a byword for sportsmanship, linked to an ability to keep a sense of perspective, as was probably most graphically demonstrated by his action in conceding that famous putt to Tony Jacklin in the Ryder Cup in 1969. Hard to imagine something like that happening in today's more fevered environment. Thanks, Jack, for all the enormous pleasure you have given me down the years. I don't think we will see your like again.
John Lewis, UK.

The Woods phenomena is like opening a new book. Jack is like finishing one, a great one that is

  Mustapha, USA

At age 24, it's far too early to make comparison between the two. The Woods phenomena is like opening a new book. Jack is like finishing one...a great one that is. Woods will have to wait. And for us, it will be a long wait too before we can even ask that question of who's better among the two. For now, Jack is alone up there.
Mustapha, USA

It's too early to say. Tiger is clearly one of the most talented golfers of all time and already has achieved more than most golfers do in their entire career. But he is 15 majors behind Nicklaus and that is the true yardstick by which he will be measured. Being the youngest to a particular mark isn't as important as staying the race.
Stephen, Malaysia

Isn't it far wiser and more sensible to judge the greatness of a player at the tail-end of his or her career? So many times, newcomers to any sport are thrust into the spotlight to improve the journalistic gloss that follows them. Isn't this why prodigious football talent is often 'protected' from the media glare and it's habit of calling everything great long before the players have had a chance to prove themselves over time?
Shaun Weston, England

Tiger undoubtedly has the potential to surpass Jack Nicklaus' feats, but his impressive wins so far do not add up to the consistency shown by Jack over two decades. Woods also needs to polish up on his attitude before he comes close to equalling Jack in my book.
John Byers, Brazil

It is an insult that that question is even asked. For more than a quarter of a century, Jack Nicklaus was always a leading contender in any tournament he took part in. His achievements reached an amazing climax when he won the US Masters at the age of 46! Nicklaus' rivals were golfers of the calibre of Palmer, Player, Jacklin, Trevino, Weiskopf, Watson, Miller, Ballesteros, Faldo and Norman. Woods has already shown fallibility under pressure. However, I know that he might crush all opposition over the next few years, which would be bad for golf. Let's see if he has serious challengers, and if he can still win majors in 20 years time!
Colin, England