Nicklaus urges Rory to work harder

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus has urged Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy to work harder if he is to dominate the sport.

The European Ryder Cup star will head into the 2017 season as the world number two, with only Jason Day ahead of him in the rankings.

McIlroy claimed three victories last season and ended the year on a high after winning career-high earnings following victories in the Deutsche Bank Championship and Tour Championship.

Speaking ahead of the new campaign, Nicklaus insists McIlroy needs to fine-tune his preparations to become the best player in the world.

He told BBC Sport: “Rory is one of those young men who has got a tremendous amount of talent. He has won and played on his talent to this point. If he wishes to dominate and go forward then he’s got to improve.

“He has to work hard, he’s got to focus on what he is trying to do and it is up to him. Certainly he has all the tools to be able to do it – it is just whether he has the desire and the willingness to give up some other things.”

Tagged Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy