LOS ANGELES—Tiger Woods playfully pawed the Medinah fairways and greens the first three days of the PGA tournament. In round four Tiger dug in his claws, pounced on the first green, and let out a silent roar that was felt by almost everyone across the course as well as by riveted TV viewers around the world.
That roar resounded from the very first hole that Tiger grabbed with a birdie and let everyone know the tournament was his.
Against the number one ranked player in the world, the challengers just wilted under the pressure of knowing they would have to produce what they didn't have.
Tiger dominated Medinah with an 18 under par score of 270, five shots better than runner up Shaun Micheel.
Best golfer in this generation and perhaps all generations
Tiger broke one of Jack's records when he won the Buick Open a few weeks ago—50 wins by age 30. Jack won 50 at 33 years of age. So Tiger is 3 years ahead of Jack in his quest to surpass most or all of Jack's records.
Tiger let everyone know again that he is far and away the best golfer that exists in this generation, since at least 10 years ago when he started as a tour rookie. Sure, any top professional golfer on a given tournament day, or a given tournament can beat Tiger. But as we all know that is not what makes someone an enduring champion.
When Phil Mickelson's coach said he felt Phil was a better player than Tiger, he was really just talking natural ability or how well the body can do certain things.
Dominating force is what makes the difference
Mickelson has always been a physically gifted golfer with tremendous talent. And he has beaten Tiger in a few tournaments and during a few rounds at least, just like many of the other top rated golfers.
But just like fire flies, they come and go. I am not saying Phil is just another shot in the pan but he has not yet demonstrated that he is a dominating force like Tiger, and that is what makes the difference. That is what made Nicklaus the great one—he was a dominating force.
A truly great golfer must have a complete set of game skills as well as a strong will or character to use them effectively. This is because the game of golf is perhaps the most difficult and most unforgiving game in sports.
We see golfers shooting lights out on the course every now and then, such as a 59 here or a 60 there, and a few more 61s and 62s here and there. But we really don't see Tiger shooting a lot of these very low scores.
Although in the third round at Medinah he tied the course record with a 65, he normally wins using other means, such as consistent low scoring, not lights out scoring. He currently ranks first in scoring average at 68.78 strokes per round.
The king of golf has to be more than a record breaker
Arnold Palmer is known as the King of golf because of his charismatic personality, outstanding PGA record, unselfish contributions to the game of golf, and most importantly his impeccable gentlemanly conduct as an ambassador of golf.
This is in the tradition of golf as was exemplified by the great Bobby Jones and others.
A genuine ambassador of the game of golf, such as a Bobby Jones or Arnold Palmer, is what Tiger will need to mold himself into if Tiger the person will match or surpass his records. The great one should have more to give and more to develop as far as character and nobility is concerned.
Tiger was aware of this early on in his career—that he would somehow give back in a big way to the community and to the kids.
This was the reason Tiger planned and opened the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, California. The 35,000-square-foot, 14-acre education facility was built to give youngsters something beyond their normal classroom experience and make their lives more fulfilling.
Tiger's Stats
- This was Tiger's third PGA win. His other major win this year was the British Open.
- PGA Winning Score: 18 under par (69, 68, 65, 68).
- Current money leader at $6,351,563.
- First in Scoring Average at 68.78 strokes per round.
- First in Greens in Regulation at 73.5%
- Continues to rank first in the official World Golf Ranking (20.99). Phil Mickelson (8.93) is second and Jim Furyk (7.67) third.
Tiger has now surpassed all golf legends in total majors won except Jack Nicklaus
Tiger with 12 majors has moved beyond all the greats of the past (except Nicklaus) in total majors won, i.e., Walter Hagen (11), Ben Hogan (9), Gary Player (9), Tom Watson (8), Bobby Jones (7), Arnold Palmer (7), Gene Sarazen (7), Sam Snead (7), Harry Vardon (7).
Only one player, Jack Nicklaus, with 18 majors to his name still holds the carrot out in front for Tiger. But Tiger is on a time line at least 3 years ahead of Nicklaus.
In Tiger's first 10 years he has won 12 majors, so it is not a long stretch to expect Tiger to achieve 12 more majors in the next 10 years or 24 major victories in 20 years.
With his 12th major win, he surpassed Walter Hagen's 11 major wins. Tiger is now 2/3 of the way towards eclipsing Nicklaus' 18 major wins.
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