Jack Nicklaus joined Golf Channel and spoke glowingly about Rory McIlroy, who hasn't won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship.

McIlroy said at the start of the year in Dubai that he plans to play fewer events this year — he played 27 last year while continuing to support his home circuit, the European tour. McIlroy is a six-time winner of the Race to Dubai and the only player to win the Race to Dubai and the FedEx Cup in the same season.

Psychologically, he hasn't won for a while when he gets himself in a position, you know, like last year at Pinehurst."