Tiger Woods is without question the best golfer in the world. Not only is he the best at his profession, his competitors, the best golfers in the world, know that when he is withing striking distance of the lead, he will probably win.
Tiger Woods has 12 major titles. Tiger has 69 world-wide victories. He's only is 31.
Here are some of his other statistics and records:
- Career money leader ($66 million)
- Most PGA Tour Wins before age 25 (24)
- Most PGA Tour Wins after 100 Starts, 28 (Nicklaus is 2nd with 17)
- Youngest Player to Achieve World Number One Ranking (21 years, 24 weeks)
Michael Jordan was the king in his sport. He was not only a superior individual player, as many have been and are, but he made champions out of his Bulls teammates. Being able to do both is a rare quality. What separates Tiger Woods from Michael Jordan is the perceived notion of Woods' peers that they are defeated. Once behind, they know they can't catch him. If they lead him, the pressure to stay ahead often causes dropped shots and lost tournaments. In a clutch, sure, everyone knew Jordan was the go-to guy, but he wasn't feared as is Tiger.
The same goes for "The Greatest," Muhammad Ali. He was a fighter with no equal. Although he truly is the greatest, even to this day, never once did George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Sonny Liston, Leon Spinks or Ken Norton (especially Norton having broken Ali's jaw) step into the ring thinking they would be beaten. Regularly, Tiger Woods' opponents speak of how he plays a different game, at a different level, than they.
Womens' sports likewise have no equal to Tiger. Annika Sorenstam, Stefi Graf and Martina Navratilova are or were dominant, but none to the extent of Woods. At times in her career, Annika Sorenstam has been unequalled, she has even struck the same fearful chord in her competitors, but not yet with the longevity and consistency of Woods.
His stats, records and the way he methodically takes care of business as the sun begins to set on Sundays make Tiger Woods, without question the best golfer ever. That statement is the only thing on which everyone in this mixed-up world can agree. There is certainly disagreement, however, on his being the most "intimidating" athlete ever. For those who may doubt, here are some quotes about him by his peers:
- "Tiger Woods is getting it by me 50 or 60 yards, so it makes you inferior with your abililty to hit the ball." Greg Norman
- "There isn't a flaw in his makeup. He'll win more majors than Arnold Palmer and me combined." Jack Nicklaus
- "I was slightly disappointed, but also encouraged, because I put myself in position to win a major, which is all even Tiger says he tries to do." Stuart Appleby
When speaking of coming down the back-nine on Sundays with a chance to win, Tiger is quoted as saying, "It's what I live for. That, to me, is the ultimate rush in our sport." He has lived his dream many times over and he has a lot more winning to do. They say he is already the favorite for this year's Masters golf tournament.
Alan L. Hammond - In addition to his Suite 101 Golf coverage, Alan is an editor and writer for SportsMD Media LLC, which publishes GolfersMD.com and ...
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