Eldrick The Magician

Hello. Well what a performance by Eldrick Woods (also known as Tiger). To say he looked invincible this week is an understatement.
If I started rhyming off all the marks he set this week, it would take all day. Let's just chew on this one for a minute - he's the first player EVER to win multiple majors in consecutive years. No one before has ever done it. That's hard to comprehend, and one more reason I feel he's the best golfer ever. Of course, being 12-0 when leading a major after 3 rounds is a great stat too. More on that Tuesday.
Here's where Tiger stands related to the all-time greats in the major wins category:

• Tiger has 4 Masters wins. Only Jack Nicklaus with 6 has more.
• Tiger has 2 US Open wins. Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Bobby Jones have 4 each
• Tiger has 3 British Open wins. Harry Vardon has 6. Tom Watson and Peter Thomson have 5.
• Tiger has 3 PGA wins. Nicklaus and Walter Hagen have 5 each.

Next year's majors are at Augusta National (of course), Oakmont, Carnoustie and Southern Hills. Tiger struggled with everyone else at Carnoustie in 1999, and also at Southern Hills. Do you think he's itching to get revenge? Can you say Grand Slam?

It seems like a lifetime ago, but in June Tiger missed the cut, and Phil Mickelson was one par away from winning 3 majors in a row. Now it looks like no one else may win a major again.

One comment in Tiger's press conference stuck with me. He was asked if he felt sorry for the rest of the field. He said no. That's because Tiger is a golf warrior. With him it's win or die. Plus he knows whatever he does is news. He'll be hounded no matter what, so he might as well win.

Anybody want to bet against Tiger from now on? Barring injury, Tiger will be the favourite in every event he goes in from now on.

Regards,

Steve