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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai. Photo: AFP

Rory McIlroy must strive harder to be the greatest, says 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus

World number two has won four majors in his career so far, the last of which came in 2014

World number two Rory McIlroy has the talent but he must work harder to dominate golf, 18-time major title winner Jack Nicklaus said.

McIlroy is only behind Australia’s Jason Day in the world rankings and has won four majors in his career so far, the last of which came in 2014.

“Rory is one of those young men who has got a tremendous amount of talent,” American Nicklaus told the BBC.

“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.

Rory McIlroy holds the trophy after winning the 2016 Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC of Boston. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

“I mean, whatever Rory does, he has established himself as one of the great players that has ever played the game.

“Whether he wants to be the greatest player to have played the game, that’s his determination and it’s his decision whether he wants to make that effort to try to do that.”

Norther Irishman McIlroy, 27, has won two US PGA Championships, a US Open and the British Open but the Masters still eludes him.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media prior to the start of the 2016 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. Photo: AFP

“I think he will win the Masters. He certainly has the type of game that would do well at Augusta and he has done well before – he just hasn’t finished it,” 76-year-old Nicklaus said.

“The media are going to focus on this because he hasn’t won it. He’ll win it.”

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy holds the Claret Jug after winning the 2014 British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Course. Photo: AFP
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