Tiger’s Quest to be the Best

There has been no shortage of attention on Tiger Woods over the past 24 months, most of it for all the wrong reasons. What seems to have been forgotten, or at least temporally overlooked during the tornado of destruction that has been Tiger’s life of more recent times, is his quest to become the greatest golfer of all time.

At one point Tiger surpassing Jack Nicklaus record of 18 majors seemed inevitable rather than questionable.  But now the reality is a very different one and we have a genuine contest on our hands.

You can break down a player's career anyway you like, but when it’s all said and done, there’s only one number that counts – major titles.

It could be reasonably argued that Tiger has had it tougher as the fields today are stronger than ever before, that almost anyone can win and the media exposure and scrutiny of a player’s swing and even their reactions, is intense and immediate. More recent years have seen many major winners who are a long way from a household name.  On the contrary, it could be said that Nicklaus played in an era of great champions.  There weren’t many occasions where he didn’t have to beat Palmer, Player or Trevino coming down the stretch.  The reality, however, is that history is harsh and only interested in one number.  When young golf enthusiasts jump on the internet (or whatever form of communication) in thirty years to find out who was the best to play the game, they won’t take the time to crunch all the numbers, they won’t examine all the regular tournament wins and second placings. Nor, unfortunately,, will they read a detailed section about how Greg Norman was world number one and dominated the game for a nearly a decade. No. Instead they will see: “Greg Norman, two.”

So, who will be the greatest, Tiger or Jack?  As it stands today, Tiger is 36 years old and has 14 majors.  He needs five more to surpass Jack.  What once seemed a forgone conclusion now seems a world away.  If we reflect back to just how dominant Tiger was, it certainly seems easy enough to suggest that of course he will be back and yes, he will break the record.  But let’s not underestimate just how deep is the hole into which Tiger plunged and how monumental the task of hauling himself out is.

In the past two years Tiger has won only one tournament. His last major victory came back in 2008 and his world ranking dropped as low as 58. He sacked his caddie of 13 years and changed coaches.  He has endured ongoing injuries and was humiliated, vilified and scorned in a global media frenzy for his in indiscretions.  He shattered his family and his life. The extent of the psychological damage is the hardest to measure but I think it’s fair to say he hit rock bottom. Whilst the only way back may be up, it’s a long way to the top.

“But he only needs five majors”. It certainly seems like a throw away line when put in that context, particularly when you have been the greatest player of a generation and have 14 already.  But let’s put it in perspective.  Tiger needs to recover from his form slump, then go out and accomplish what some of the games greats did in their whole career, in less than half the time. Arnold Palmer won seven majors, Nick Faldo and Lee Trevino six each and the late Seve Ballesteros five.  Not only that, but Tiger’s not going to be trying to do it against the players he battered during the past decade, those players who collapsed in the face of endless Sunday Tiger assaults, ridiculous and incomprehensible shots under pressure and final hole victory denials. Instead Tiger faces a new generation of young guns; The Rory Mcilroys and Jason Days of the world who hold no fear, who play to win and bear no ill memories of the once invincible Tiger Woods.

So will we see the second coming of the Tiger? I think the public generally believe so, as do the bookies. Perhaps surprisingly, Tiger is currently a $6 dollar favourite to win The Masters in April.  Now, I certainly wouldn’t suggest they’re wrong but I am amazed by the respect that he still commands on the course.

So, as I ponder whether Tiger will become the greatest ever, let’s summarise what I believe lies ahead for him.

Will he win another major?  Yes.  There is no doubt in my mind that he will.  He is simply too good a player and has proven time and time again that he can find a way to win, even when not at his best.

Will he be world number one again?  Yes. At some point I am sure he will be. He is still the most talented guy out there and has the work ethic required. Even a shadow of his former self would see him return to the top.

Will he dominate like he once did?  No.  When Tiger was No.1 he had over twice the ranking points of his nearest competitor – essentially he was twice as good.  I don’t think his game will ever return to those unfathomable heights, and the quality of the young guys coming through will make it hard for him to open a huge gap like that again.

Will he Surpass Jack and win 19 majors?  Honestly, I don’t know.  He’s on a knife-edge that could go either way. It certainly makes it interesting from a spectator’s perspective, that’s for sure. Obviously he has the skills but whether he can execute them when it counts from here on in, is anyone’s guess. I would suggest that it’s an even money call, a legitimate 50-50 situation. But seeing as how no one wants to read an article that finishes with a fence sitting cop out like that. I will say no, I don’t think he will.

Andrew McKenzie is a professional golfer who has twice won on the Korean Tour