Former world No.1 Greg Norman reckons that Rory McIlroy is more likely to break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championship wins than Tiger Woods.

Woods claimed his 14th major title at the 2008 US Open in a dramatic 19-hole play-off with Rocco Mediate, but has not won one since after seeing his career set back by the well documented sex scandal which also led to the breakdown of his marriage.

And Norman would like to see McIlroy – who currently has two major title victories under his belt – be the man to catch up with Nicklaus instead.

When asked if Woods is capable of winning the five majors he still needs to surpass Nicklaus, Norman replied: "I don't think so, no."

"Every year that passes by that he hasn't won a major title it just keeps getting that much harder to win one.

"I don't care how many you have won, it just becomes more and more difficult.

"He might win one or two more but I don't think he will win the four or five more that he needs to win to break the record."

After a late collapse saw McIlroy throw away a maiden major win at the 2011 Masters, the golf star quickly recovered to win the US Open that year before claiming the US PGA Championship last August. Norman believes that the sky is the limit for the talented 23-year-old.

"I think if anybody can break Nicklaus' record he could, because he is young, he is ahead of the game and ahead of the curve on a lot of things, and he has a balanced life across the board," said Norman.

"I will keep my fingers crossed for him because I would love to see that happen. Somebody will do it one day and it could be Rory. I am a big fan of Rory's, he can be as big as he wants to be."