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Zach Johnson, a devout Christian, Angel Caberera a beer loving Argentine, and Padraig Harrington, Ireland's favourite son. All immensely talented golfers and now major winners. Three names not exactly known the world over yet they conquered all in winning 3 of 4 toughest golf tournaments staged annually. In a year that was synonymous with major breakthroughs, there has been 1 constant, his name Eldrick Tiger Woods. Mumbles were growing into a disquiet as Tiger contended at Augusta and Oakmont with 2nd place finishes. At Carnoustie he was never really a factor when placing 12th yet those in the know, knew Tiger would add to his major tally by year's end. Evidence at Firestone suggested that Tiger was priming himself for another major triumph when he decimated a strongfield to win by 8 for victory number 4 for 2008. No one else has won more than 2 on the PGA tour. At Southern Hills, with temperatures hitting 100, Tiger outlasted a wilting field to win by 2. Lucky 13 for Tiger as he chases Jack's 18 majors.
Woods is showing consistency and a will to win, a trait not evident with his contemporaries. Not long ago, we were talking about the Big 5 in Woods, Mickelson, Els and Singh and Goosen. We have seen Mickelson implode, Els suffer injuries, Singh's inability to settle with a putter, and Goosen struggle for consistency. Yet Tiger, who has had to deal with losing his father, marriage, and the birth of a child, has continued to win. So now you ask, what more do you want of Tiger? Well I for one would love to see him come from behind in a major. I would love to see a Sunday surge from the middle of the pack to take out a major, perhaps a perennial penal US Open would be fitting. Fact, Tiger is 13-0 when leading or sharing a lead going into Sunday, yet we have not once seen him come from behind. There is a little doubt that Woods will eclipse Jack Nicklaus major tally and even go past Sam Snead for career PGA victories, but in my mind he will be the greatest when he can exhibit an ability to win from behind. Only time will tell. Discuss this article on the forums. (1 posts)
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