NICK’S CHIP OFF THE OLD GOLDEN BEAR

JACK NICKLAUS is backing his grandson to add a 19th major championship to the family trophy cabinet.

The Golden Bear is still the greatest golfer of all time, with 18 Majors to his name, four more than Tiger Woods.

And the 77-year-old will be in Jacksonville tonight as Nick O’Leary tries to help the Buffalo Bills beat the Jaguars in the first round of the playoffs (Sky Sports Main Event, 6:05pm) on the road to the Super Bowl.

Nicklaus said: “Nick is playing at the highest level of his sport.

“I was fortunate to play at the highest level of my sport. To have that happen with a grandson, and to have the opportunity to watch him compete and succeed, it’s really exciting.

“I get emotional inside. I’m emotional just talking about it.” Nicklaus was on hand last week to watch O’Leary (left) – son of Nicklaus’ daughter Nan – score a touchdown against his grandfather’s team, and was happy to have switched allegiance for a day.

He added: “I’ve been a Miami Dolphins season ticket-holder since day one, 1966.

“For me to go to a Miami game in a Buffalo Bills hat and a jacket in their team blue, I felt a little funny. But hey, I’m getting to see my grandson play. You don’t go against your grandson.”

Tonight ends an 18-year playoff drought for the Bills, with the Super Bowl just three wins away.

And Nicklaus added: “I can’t think of a team I’d rather them play. I think they match up well with the Jaguars and, like the Bills, Jacksonville’s fan base has been waiting a long time for a return to the playoffs.”