Tiger tipped to win another major

Almost three-quarters of European Tour golfers surveyed anonymously believe Tiger Woods will win another major.

The survey of 34 players by Golf.com last November saw 73 per cent say Woods, who won the last of his 14 major tournaments at the 2008 US Open, will win one of the big four events again.

Only 18 per cent felt Woods wouldn’t add to his collection of majors in his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18, while nine per cent were unsure.

‘‘If he stays healthy the next two years, he’ll be world No 1,’’ one of the players said.

Woods also easily scored a win when the players were asked if they’d rather have dinner with him or rival Phil Mickelson.

The left-hander only got nine per cent of the vote, with Woods receiving 79 per cent.

‘‘I’ve had dinner with Phil and I didn’t enjoy it,’’ one player said, while another added: ‘‘I’d like to pick Tiger’s brain on how he overcame his suffering. That could really help me.’’

Almost all the players surveyed (97 per cent) believed Rory Mcilroy would win another major despite his recent struggles, with 46 per cent saying it will happen this year.

The Northern Ireland superstar has won four majors, with his most recent being the 2014 PGA Championship.

The Masters remains the major most European Tour players want to win – 59 per cent of the players surveyed (who featured four major champions and six Ryder Cuppers) said they coveted the green jacket the most, with 38 per cent favouring the British Open. Only three per cent opted for the US Open while no-one voted for the PGA Championship.

Mcilroy received 29 per cent of the vote as the European-born player with the most natural talent – Sergio Garcia was next-best with 21 per cent – while Justin Rose (64 per cent) was chosen as the best European Tour player at present.

More than a third of those surveyed (38 per cent) said they’d played a tournament round while hungover while 45 per cent said they’d witnessed a fellow player cheat. Only three per cent said they’d knowingly broken a rule and not reported it.

Almost all surveyed (92 per cent) said the European team usually won the Ryder Cup because it has better team chemistry than the US side, while Ian Poulter was given the biggest vote of confidence (39 per cent) to make an eight-foot putt with the Ryder Cup on the line.

Bryson Dechambeau was elected as the American player who irritates those players surveyed the most at 16 per cent, with Bubba Watson next at 11 per cent, with one player adding: ‘‘Wait, I can only pick one?’’.