Every time Jack Nicklaus says goodbye to a major championship, Tiger Woods leaves the same going away message.

Tiger Woods plays out of a bunker on the 10th fairway during the final round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. Woods says the changes he has made have helped him become more consistent in the majors. (AP / File)

"I'm gaining on you."

The 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach - Jack leaves; Tiger wins.

The 2000 British Open at St. Andrews - Jack leaves; Tiger wins.

The 2000 PGA Championship at Valhalla - Jack leaves; Tiger wins.

The 2005 Masters Tournament at Augusta National - Jack leaves; Tiger wins.

Nicklaus gave all the majors a once over, and Woods had the final word every time.

Tiger Woods of the United States holds the trophy after winning the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. (AP / File)

"His record of every event where Nicklaus is basically handing over the torch, he's the one who wins every time," said Nick Faldo.

So when Nicklaus opted for an encore finale at the 2005 British Open again at St. Andrews, was there any doubt who would be holding the curtain back?

"I wish he'd keep retiring," Woods said.

With a wire-to-wire five-shot victory at the British Open, Woods completed the "Jack Retirement Slam Plus One," notching a 10th major title and a second career slam on the same Old Course where he'd completed his first full circuit.

"To complete my first career grand slam and then to complete the second at the same place, this is as special as it gets," said Woods, who won his first British Open at St. Andrews by eight shots in 2000. "This is something you dream about. This is it. This is as good as it gets."

Nicklaus certainly thought so. After exiting the competitive stage with a birdie flourish at the last, he went home to watch Woods etch another major masterpiece. If you stole Woods' iPod, Nicklaus' critique would have to be the music in his ears.

"I have to say, that is the best I have seen Tiger swing," Nicklaus said. "Tiger has been working on his game, and he certainly seemed to find it at St. Andrews. Tiger looked in total control. He never looked like there was a chance for him to lose. It was a pretty awesome performance."

Woods' satisfaction level could hardly have been higher after securing his third multiple-major season. It was an "I-told-you-so" moment for anyone who criticized the second significant swing change of his professional career.

Woods' first swing overhaul in 1998 with Butch Harmon set up an unprecedented run of success that included wins in seven of 11 majors during one stretch. When he embarked on Phase II with Hank Haney in 2004, it attracted an avalanche of second-guessing the scope of which only Woods seems to generate.

Critics no longer saw a formative 22-year-old golfer trying to craft a swing before he got too set in his ways. They saw the world's best player tinkering with success and fate by meddling with a proven model.

Everyone pounced on the risk and cited a 10-major winless streak as proof that Woods had gone too far. That he won only one tournament in 2004 and was passed by Vijay Singh for No. 1 status in the world ranking only furthered the alternative perspective.

Winning the Masters, finishing second at the U.S. Open and winning the British Open effectively silenced his critics.

"The changes that I've made were to become more consistent in major championships ... and that's exactly what happened," Woods said. "I was there with a chance to win on the back nine on Sunday in every one, and that's a great feeling. If I can continue to do that, then I'll win my share."

It was easy to see the breakthrough coming. A pair of off- season victories and early-season success at Torrey Pines and Doral signaled Woods was ready to be his old self in the 2005 majors.

But it was in the Masters - when he summoned the perfect drive and approach to win a playoff with Chris DiMarco - that Woods knew he was back in the groove with his new swing.

"I had just played three bad holes in a row, but then I hit my two best golf shots the way Hank and I have been working on when I absolutely needed it the most," Woods said. "So that was a huge turning point for me."

After winning again at St. Andrews, Woods could barely resist tweaking his dissenters.

"I've been criticized for the last couple of years, 'Why would I change my game?'" he said. "This is why: First, second and first in the last three majors. That's why."

The whole season was awesome enough to help vault Woods well ahead of the pack again as the No. 1 player in the world, despite missing two cuts - including his first in 142 events dating back to 1998.

He resumed his place as player of the year with two more World Golf Championship victories, six overall wins, more than $10 million in earnings and his sixth Vardon Trophy in seven years as the tour's top scorer.

With two more wins already this year at Torrey Pines and Doral, Woods is on the same path as a year ago but with much less to prove. He comes to Augusta National seeking his 49th tour win, 11th major title and fifth green jacket.

"Last year I had a long way to go; I had a lot of different things I needed to fix to be ready for Augusta," he said. "This year it's not as many. The list is a lot shorter. ... From that standpoint, I've got a head start on last year."

So with Nicklaus officially retired and on the couch 20 years after his 18th and final major victory at Augusta National, Woods is ready to send the same message.

He's still gaining on him.

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.