Nicklaus forecasts major winner from China

BEIJING, Apr 25 (Reuters) Golfing great Jack Nicklaus believes sheer weight of numbers make it inevitable China will one day have its own major winner.

The American, who captured 18 major titles during his career, said he thought the sport had an excellent future in the world's most populous nation.

''The question is not if you will, but when,'' Nicklaus told a news conference today.

''You have a great number of people and there are a great number of people who will play golf so there will be some who will be very successful.'' The 67-year-old was making his first visit to the Chinese capital to open a second course he has designed at the Pine Valley Club, venue of this week's inaugural Beijing Open, and also held a training clinic with local schoolchildren.

''Golf is a very good sport for the Chinese as golf does not depend on size,'' said Nicklaus. ''The Chinese do well in many sports and there's no reason why they can't do well on a golf course, it just takes time.

''Some of those kids I saw at the clinic today, a few of those golf swings are very special ... it's a working sport in this country and we want to be part of that.'' Nicklaus, joined for the ceremonial tee-off by deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, also defended the game against charges it was not a good use of land and water in a part of the world where neither was plentiful.

''It's the same all over the world, what should land be used for?'' he asked.

''I don't know, golf creates jobs, it creates people representing their country at sports, it creates tourism. There are many things that golf does.'' REUTERS BJR HS1821