Tiger Woods' career has revolved around 18.
There are of course 18 holes on a golf course, but it is Tiger's quest to reach 18 majors that has been most fascinating. Jack Nicklaus' record is one that most thought Woods would match, and then beat, but in recent years that has looked less likely.
Since the 2008 US Open triumph, 34 majors have come and gone, without a Woods win. He missed all four of the 2016 majors, and only made the cut at the 2015 Masters, despite playing in all four of that year's majors.
Despite having four less majors than Nicklaus, Woods has already matched the 76-year-old's haul of three Grand Slams. The two players are the only people to have completed the feat more than once.
Speaking to BBC Sport, ahead of Woods' comeback at the Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas, Nicklaus feels that the 40-year-old can still reach that elusive 18th major title and go on and win more.
"I've always thought that he's got at least another 10 years of good competitive golf in front of him, if he's healthy and as talented as he is," Nicklaus told BBC's Iain Carter. "I don't think anything is safe."
In Woods' absence, the game has continued to grow, and Nicklaus feels the future of the sport is in good shape, with or without Tiger.
"Golf is not on one person's shoulder any more. It would be nice to have Tiger come back and play well, I think he'd be great for the game of golf and he's got some great competition with the young guys out there today."
Woods' path to the top echelons of the game will be one of 2017's most fascinating stories.
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