Much was made of the high temperatures in Tulsa during the USPGA tournament last weekend (why the fuss - we play regularly in similar conditions during July & August here on the coast), but nothing was going to stop Tiger Woods picking up his 13th. Major to move ever nearer to Jack Nicklaus' record of eighteen Majors.
In fact, so focused is Woods on this target, that his schedule revolves round these four tournaments each year. Don't be surprised if he only plays ten events in 2008 - the four Majors, the various World Championships and the Tour Players' Championship. Tiger is now a big-game player, with little or no interest in your run-of-the-mill tournaments with their paltry prize money. If anyone is concerned as to how he will make ends meet on so few tournaments, the ten already mentioned could easily nett him well over $5 million.
The final round of the USPGA at Southern Hills made compulsive viewing, as Tiger Woods first kidded us that he was human after all by spraying his drives all over the place. But after allowing a 5 shot lead to melt in the sun, when the unlikely journeyman Woody Austin suddenly found himself only one behind, he donned his Superman outfit and muscled another birdie or two, to finish ahead of his only two challengers on the day, the aforementioned Woody Austin and a revitalized Ernie Els. Like him (the Americans love him) or hate him (the British hate winners), Tiger Woods already has a justifiable claim to be recognized as the best golfer who ever lived. When he wins his 20th. Major before his 35th. birthday, even his detractors will have to acknowledge his superiority. Jack Nicklaus already has.
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