LONDON, July 7: Spanish golfing legend Seve Ballesteros believes that Jack Nicklaus and not Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer of all time.

The 45-year-old Spaniard, whose slump in form hit the depths with an 89 in the first round of last weekend’s Irish Open that prompted him to pull out of the British Open, said Nicklaus had a higher standard of opposition in the 70’s and 80’s as he racked up 18 major titles.

According to Ballesteros, Woods is the most athletic golfer of all time but he is still not Nicklaus’ match despite last month’s triumph in the US Open giving him his eighth major, seven of the past 11 major crowns, and twice as many major titles as Nicklaus at the same age, 26.

It also kept him on course for becoming the first golfer ever to win the Grand Slam of all four majors in the same season - Ben Hogan going the closest in 1953 when he won the Masters, US Open and British Open but a but a schedule conflict kept him from the 1953 PGA.

“He (Woods) is the most athletic golfer of all time but not the greatest,” Ballesteros told the Independent.

“In 15 years time he might be the greatest of all time but right now it’s still Jack Nicklaus.

Ballesteros, a five time major winner but who has failed to make the cut in a major championship since 1995, said it was all to do with the look in the eyes.—AFP