Tiger resumes pursuit of Nicklaus' major haul
Source: Agencies |
April 11, 2013, Thursday
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JACK Nicklaus was trying to remember the last time Tiger Woods won a major title.
"Really?" Nicklaus asked incredulously when told Woods' last major victory was the 2008 US Open. "I mean, it's been a while. He's going to have to figure it out."
Woods comes into the Masters as the undisputed favorite. He's back on top of the world rankings. He's already won three times this year on the PGA Tour.
"He's playing the best," defending Masters champion Bubba Watson said. "He's No. 1 in the world. That's all you need to look at."
Of course, everyone keeps looking at Woods' more recent record in the events that really matter.
Since turning pro, he's never gone this long without winning a major. His drought at Augusta ? a tournament he's won four times ? stretches back to 2005, his longest winless stretch in any of the four biggest championships.
Which brings us back to Nicklaus, whose 18 major titles are more than any other golfer, who set the standard that Woods has been chasing most of his life.
When Woods hobbled to his 14th major title back in 2008, essentially winning on one good leg, it seemed certain he would take down Nicklaus' mark.
Then, of course, his personal life fell apart and everything seemed to change.
Suddenly, Woods wasn't this invincible machine. A new wave of young golfers, led by Rory McIlroy, arrived on the scene and didn't seem the least bit intimidated by the Tiger mystique.
With each passing year, each year without adding a major title to his resume, it became a little tougher to envision Woods leaping over the lofty bar set by Nicklaus.
"Obviously, the older he gets and if he doesn't win, it makes my record move out further," the Golden Bear said on Tuesday. "I still expect him to break my record. I think he's just too talented, too driven, and too focused on that."
Break the mark
But something to consider: Nicklaus won only four major titles after the age of 37, which Woods reached in December. Tiger needs five to break the mark, which, as Nicklaus pointed out, "is a pretty good career for most people".
Considering Woods is almost always in contention at Augusta, even in the down times, and taking into account that he seems to have regained the form he had before injuries and scandalous revelations sent his career into a tailspin, this would seem to be a very important milestone on his road to redemption.
If Woods wins, suddenly, everyone will go back to projecting him breezing right on by Nicklaus' record. But, if he comes up short again, all the doubts are back on the table.
"Really?" Nicklaus asked incredulously when told Woods' last major victory was the 2008 US Open. "I mean, it's been a while. He's going to have to figure it out."
Woods comes into the Masters as the undisputed favorite. He's back on top of the world rankings. He's already won three times this year on the PGA Tour.
"He's playing the best," defending Masters champion Bubba Watson said. "He's No. 1 in the world. That's all you need to look at."
Of course, everyone keeps looking at Woods' more recent record in the events that really matter.
Since turning pro, he's never gone this long without winning a major. His drought at Augusta ? a tournament he's won four times ? stretches back to 2005, his longest winless stretch in any of the four biggest championships.
Which brings us back to Nicklaus, whose 18 major titles are more than any other golfer, who set the standard that Woods has been chasing most of his life.
When Woods hobbled to his 14th major title back in 2008, essentially winning on one good leg, it seemed certain he would take down Nicklaus' mark.
Then, of course, his personal life fell apart and everything seemed to change.
Suddenly, Woods wasn't this invincible machine. A new wave of young golfers, led by Rory McIlroy, arrived on the scene and didn't seem the least bit intimidated by the Tiger mystique.
With each passing year, each year without adding a major title to his resume, it became a little tougher to envision Woods leaping over the lofty bar set by Nicklaus.
"Obviously, the older he gets and if he doesn't win, it makes my record move out further," the Golden Bear said on Tuesday. "I still expect him to break my record. I think he's just too talented, too driven, and too focused on that."
Break the mark
But something to consider: Nicklaus won only four major titles after the age of 37, which Woods reached in December. Tiger needs five to break the mark, which, as Nicklaus pointed out, "is a pretty good career for most people".
Considering Woods is almost always in contention at Augusta, even in the down times, and taking into account that he seems to have regained the form he had before injuries and scandalous revelations sent his career into a tailspin, this would seem to be a very important milestone on his road to redemption.
If Woods wins, suddenly, everyone will go back to projecting him breezing right on by Nicklaus' record. But, if he comes up short again, all the doubts are back on the table.
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