Ever wonder what it would be like to be the best at what you do? It has to be a great feeling, a feeling Tiger Woods is extremely familiar with. Woods is not only the best golfer, but the best athlete ever.
Since becoming a pro in 1996, Tiger Woods has dominated golf courses and tournaments. With his win this past weekend at the 88th PGA Championship, Woods now holds 12 major championships. This number places him second ahead of Walter Hagen and only six behind Jack Nicklaus’ legendary 18. Woods won seven of 11 majors from 1999 through 2002. He hit a bit of a cold stretch afterwards but is now racking up the wins again with four of the last eight majors. No one is better at sealing the deal either. Woods is now 12-for-12 in majors when he enters the final round with at least a share of the lead. His opponents might have a better chance in the future by heading to church on Sunday to pray instead of showing up and playing the final round. The lowest 72-hole scores in relation to par in the record books at the Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open all have his name next to them. He is tied for the PGA record.
Some of sport’s other greats can only hope to be compared with Woods. The likes of Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong, Wayne Gretzky and Babe Ruth may have been the greatest at what they did but will never be able to say they won as much as Woods will.
What makes him even better than his great counterparts is that I have no doubt that he could be successful at their sports too. With the hand-eye coordination one needs in hitting a golf ball, it’s not hard to imagine Woods trading in his Titleist driver for a Louisville Slugger and hitting four-baggers for the Detroit Tigers instead of hole-in-ones. His pinpoint accuracy on the green could translate into free-throw and three-point percentages to rival gunslinger J.J. Redick. If Happy Gilmore can make the move from a terrible hockey player to a golf-ball-bashing freak, I think a few baseballs to the forehead would be enough to ready Woods for the reverse transition. His winning attitude would be comfortable behind the wheel with Ricky Bobby’s motto, “If you’re not first, you’re last.” And with Woods, he usually is first.
Let’s get back to golf though. There is only one thing that stands between Woods and golf perfection, the one thing that he doesn’t have: the Golden Bear’s 18. That is Nicklaus’ 18 career major championships. The question is not if Woods will reach and pass that number but when. At the age of 30, he has plenty of time to catch Nicklaus. He could reach it by age 36 by winning only one major a year. Odds are he will drive right by 18 like he does on a round of 18 holes. Woods’ numbers already dwarf Nicklaus’. Woods’ 12 majors have been won by a combined 56 shots while Nicklaus won his 18 by 44 shots. Woods has now played in 40 majors for his 12 wins. Nicklaus had only nine through 40 majors. Woods score in relation to par in through 40 majors is -119 while Nicklaus was +40. Woods will surpass 18 majors.
Once that is done, all debates, if there are any, will be over. Woods will have the numbers, history and legend. There will be only one greatest athlete ever: Tiger, Tiger Woods ya’ll.
