Charles Barkley: I want to see Tiger break Jack’s record

Charles Barkley and Tiger Woods aren’t on speaking terms these days, but that doesn’t mean the Chuckwagon is on the Tiger bandwagon.

In an interview with Campus Insiders and fellow NCAA basketball tournament broadcaster Seth Davis, Barkley said he still hopes Woods beats Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championships.

“I really want him to break Jack Nicklaus’ record,” Barkley said. “I think Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer who ever lived.”

Woods has won 14 major titles, which lags behind Nicklaus’ pace. However, Woods’ 79 PGA Tour wins has surpassed Nicklaus’ 73 total wins.

Barkley and Woods were once close friends, with Barkley describing in 2011 how the pair used to talk on a weekly basis — that is until late 2009, when a Thanksgiving car crash outside of Woods’ Windermere, Fla., home spelled spurred the end of his marriage and shattering of his public image.

The outspoken analyst said he was cut shortly after Woods’ marriage began to publicly fall apart.

“I have not talked to Tiger since the accident,” said Barkley. “He went in a different direction. I’m not upset by that; I’m disappointed. That night changed his life forever. He chose to handle that, to just sever his friends, and I have to accept that.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow @RyanBallengee

Devil Ball Golf – Golf – Yahoo Sports