IT'S A YOUNG MAN'S GAIN

Nicklaus: It'll only get tougher for Mcllroy

- NEIL MCLEMAN

THE GOLDEN BEAR ON RORY'S SLAM BID

JACK NICKLAUS has warned Rory McIlroy that completing his career Grand Slam will only get "tougher" as he gets older.

And the Golden Bear cited Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer as examples of great players who never made the exclusive club.

Only five men have won all four Majors with three of them - Gene Sarazen (1935), Ben Hogan (1953) and Tiger Woods - achieving the feat at the first attempt after winning their third. Woods did it at the 2000 Open aged just 24.

Nicklaus (1966) and Gary Player (1965) both won at their third attempt.

World No.2 McIlroy is making his 10th bid to claim the Masters the only Major he has never won - a month before his 35th birthday.

He got under way yesterday alongside Scottie Scheffler as Bryson DeChambeau set the early pace with a seven-under 65.

Woods stated on Tuesday it's just a matter of time until the Ulsterman wins a Green Jacket.

And at a press conference for the honorary starters, Nicklaus got the same question.