Woods is greatest individual athlete ever

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Woods is greatest individual athlete ever

By Gene Wojciechowski
ESPN.com

MEDINAH, Ill. – You should probably sit down for this one. That’s because I’m about to offend anybody and everybody who thinks golfers rank below rhythmic gymnasts, bowlers and tractor-pull drivers on the sports food chain.

Tiger Woods is the greatest individual athlete of our time. OK, of all time.

There, I said it and it feels right, especially after Woods just left Medinah Country Club with what seems like his millionth major championship. Once again, he left divot marks on the rest of the field and bruise marks on the record books.

Nobody kisses more silver than this guy. On Sunday, Woods was busy romancing the Wanamaker Trophy, which is what you get after winning the PGA Championship. It was his third makeout session with the trophy, having won the thing in 1999, 2000 and now 2006. If it happens again, they’ll have to get a hotel room.

But this isn’t about golf anymore. Woods doesn’t have anybody within a par-5 of him on tour. I thought Phil Mickelson was good enough to challenge Woods, but he isn’t. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Woods has escaped golf’s gravitational pull and moved into a planetary system that includes your one-namers (Pele, Babe, Jack), your initialers (MJ), your nicknamers (The Great One, The Greatest), your oldies (Jim Thorpe, Willie Mays, Joe Louis), your Olympians (Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis), your netters (Martina Navratilova, Pete Sampras), your others (Lance Armstrong). I know I’m forgetting someone, but it doesn’t matter. Woods is better.

With this victory …
Here’s what Tiger Woods accomplished with his PGA Championship win on Sunday:
• Passes Walter Hagen to move into second (alone) on the all-time major championships list as a professional with 12. Jack Nicklaus has 18.
• Now 12-for-12 when holding at least a share of the lead entering the final round of a major.
• Becomes the 5th player in PGA Championship history to win the tournament three times.
• Becomes the first player in history to win two PGA titles at the same course (Medinah).
• Becomes the first player in history to win at least two majors in consecutive years.
• Won his fifth major by at least five shots. Tiger has now won his 12 majors by a combined 56 shots, while Nicklaus won his 18 majors by 44 shots.

There comes a time when golf greatness morphs into something beyond recognition, something so singular that you have difficulty explaining it. It defies comparison, context and reason.

Can you explain Woods? I can’t. I’m not even sure Woods fully understands the ripple effect of his achievements. All I know is that there has never been anyone like him. You tell your children about him, and maybe, if they stick around long enough, they tell theirs.

This was Woods’ 12th majors victory. He moved past Walter Hagen, who was no slouch, and to within six car lengths of Jack Nicklaus and the Golden Bear-mobile. Woods could pass Nicklaus and those 18 championships within two years. Crazy? You tell him.

“When you first come out on Tour you just hope to win one,” said Woods.

Hope isn’t part of the equation these days. Woods doesn’t need it. Maybe when he turned pro in 1996, but not now.

Nicklaus is the lone remaining mortal challenge left for Woods – and Nicklaus doesn’t even play on tour anymore. At age 30, Woods is already chasing and catching legends. Hagen on Sunday … Nicklaus in 2008, 2009, or 2010. His career is now about numbers and legacies.

The truth is he has neutered, for lack of a better word, his peers. They aren’t the challenge; history is. Woods has won four of the last eight majors. He owns the lowest 72-hole scores in relation to par in the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open, and is tied for the PGA record. He’s missed the cut exactly four times in his career. Jeez, how many times can you rub your eyes in disbelief.

“I mean, we all smirk and laugh when he says he’s got his ‘B’ game, but that’s better than most of our ‘A’ games,” said Shaun Micheel, who won the 2003 PGA. “He’s just that good.”

Micheel finished second Sunday. He shot 13-under for the tournament, which would have won the last four PGAs. Woods still beat him by five strokes.

Woods entered Sunday’s round with one of those streaks that doesn’t seem possible: 11-0 when he begins the final round of a major with at least a share of the lead. But he was never truly challenged by anyone on the leaderboard and the streak now stands at 12-0.

“It will happen eventually,” said Sergio Garcia of a possible Woods Sunday falter. “It’s going to happen. I mean, he’s not going to be 68 years old and in the final round of a major and tied for the lead and he wins.”

Are you sure? If Mick Jagger can still play gigs with the Stones when he’s in his 60s, why can’t Tiger still be sinking putts in majors when he’s pushing 70? After all, he’s in better shape.

Early Sunday evening, with the Wanamaker Trophy within easy hugging distance, Woods talked about his friendship with Michael Jordan. They recently played golf in Orlando and afterward, Jordan knocked down shots in the club’s indoor basketball court.

“MJ’s still MJ,” said Woods.

But Jordan is no Woods. Nobody is.

Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Arguably. With Woods, there is no debate. Only injury stands between Woods and any record worth owning.

Woods is an athlete, not just a mope with a golf swing. You can build a condo development across his shoulders. His waist looks like a size 4.

His intensity and focus would translate into any sport. He doesn’t trash talk like Jordan did, but he doesn’t have to. The way the ball comes off his club face simply sounds different.

What great athletic trait doesn’t he possess? Take your time. I can wait.

Woods performs better when the world is lined up six-deep around the fairway. Pressure? He eats it with a glass of Chianti and some fava beans.

You take Jordan or Gretzky, Ali or Babe Ruth, the Say Hey Kid or Martina. I’ll take Woods. I’ll take him because of what he’s done and what he’s yet to do.

Scary, isn’t it? He isn’t finished winning. Not even close.

Gene Wojciechowski is the senior national columnist for ESPN.com. You can contact him at gene.wojciechowski@espn3.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2555909

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With all due respect to the writer in question, there’s no way Tiger Woods is a better athlete than most of the people he mentioned.
For my money, I think I’ll take Jim Brown.

Not only for his football exploits, but most people don’t realize he could have also been one of the best Lacrosse players of ALL time. Because of him, rules regarding the stick changed!

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Following Tiger’s latest win.

With this victory, Tiger Woods…

  • Earns his 53rd career PGA TOUR victory at the age of 30 years, 8 months and
    five days in his 213th
    (199th professional) career start on TOUR.

  • Moves to No. 2 on the all-time Deutsche Bank Championship money list with
    $1,611,600.

2006 tidbits

  • Wins five consecutive PGA TOUR titles for the second time in his career and
    the first time since the 1999-2000 seasons,
    when he won six straight.

  • Becomes first seven-time winner of the season and collects at least seven wins
    in a season for the third time in his
    career.

  • Improves season earnings to $8,641,563, the third time he has exceeded the
    $8-million mark.

Career notes

  • Wins his 23rd different tournament on the PGA TOUR. There are only five events
    on the TOUR that he has competed in
    multiple times but has never won.

  • Wins for the first time in the state of Massachusetts, his 12th different
    state with a win.

  • Now has 10 top-10 finishes for the season. He has recorded 10 or more top-10
    finishes in a single season in eight
    of the last 10 years on the PGA TOUR. He has 130 career-top 10s in 199
    professional starts and has finished in the
    top 25 172 times.

  • This is the 14th time he has won an event without holding the 54-hole lead,
    including three of his seven victories in 2006.

  • 53 wins puts him in fifth place in all-time PGA TOUR victories, moving him
    ahead of Byron Nelson.

  • Surpasses the $64 million mark in career PGA TOUR Official Money with
    $64,412,324.

  • Has won in 26.64% (53 out of 199) of his professional starts on the PGA TOUR.

2006 PGA TOUR Summary
Tournaments entered–14; in money–13; Top 10–10; Wins–7

BIRTHDATE: December 30, 1975
BIRTHPLACE: Cypress, Calif.
RESIDES: Orlando, Fla.
FAMILY: Wife, Elin
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1, 185

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Two questions …

  • Is this guy kidding me, greater than Jordan?(Wow memories are short)

  • Is golf even a sport?
    (I can’t wait to hear the reponse to this one - But seriously, how can a 4 hour walk and a few swings at the weeds be called sport?)

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sport
Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[spawrt, spohrt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun 1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=sport

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Jim Brown & MJ both played in a team sport, greatest individual athlete usually refers to an athlete who plays all by himself. (i.e. golf, tennis, etc.)

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Physical prowess? Where is that in golf? Guys like Daly are obese and alcoholics and can play elite level golf and win tournaments.

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OK, if team sports are off the board, I’l go with someone like Milt Campbell…However, what about Bob Mathias?
taken from USATF web site…

BOB MATHIAS DECATHLON (Inducted 1974)

Born November 17, 1930, Tulare, Calif.

One of the greatest all-around athletes in track and field history, Robert “Bob” Mathias arrived on the world track and field scene in a rather spectacular fashion, winning the decathlon gold medal at the 1948 Olympic Games while still only 17 years old. That made him the youngest ever winner of an Olympic track and field event and also earned him the 1948 Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete.

From Tulare, Calif., Mathias continued his success and he set the first of his three world decathlon records in 1950, capping a brilliant career by repeating as Olympic champion in 1952 with another world record. Never defeated in the decathlon, Mathias was a four-time national champion in the 10 events. Also a star football fullback at Stanford University, he played in the 1952 Rose Bowl, making him the only person to ever compete in an Olympics and a Rose Bowl the same year. After his competitive days, he was a member of the U.S. Congress and also directed the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He was elected to U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983.

In my opinion, this blows Tiger away when it comes to “athletic prowess”!

(honestly, I have nothing against tiger, I just get fired about about this whole Great Athlete thing)

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Its nonsense to even try to declare a “greatest sportsman of all time”. Everything is so relative, hell, its even hard to determine a definate greatest of all time within a given sport due to the fact that sports have spanned over several decades with many variables involved (I couldnt be bothered to elaborate, common sense would suffice). In my opinion, the only thing that can be truly declared is the Greatest of an “Era” within each sport.

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Amen! I love what Woods is doing in golf but really now… I don’t see how people can call golfers “athletes” and keep a straight face. Without question there are athletic guys playing professional golf but quite frankly, if a 45 year old dad can perform at an equal or higher level than his 20 year old son in the same “sport”, then I say it’s not a “sport” but instead a developed “skill.”

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Dominance at one sport, Woods would definately be up there. I wouldn’t go as far as calling him the best athlete though.

As for the best athletic ability, as in combo of like speed, power, agility and strength I’d go with someone like Jevon Kearse or Julius Peppers.

As for dominance in a couple sports, Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson could definately be there for playing 2 sports professionally.

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I agree with you dominance and athletic ability are two diffrent things all together. Besides golf is not a sport its a hobby.

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Interesting comments, so no one considers that it is Woods’ atheltic ability that could be one of his advantages? :cool:

Don’t be fooled by looking at Daly who is an obese alcoholic, the majority of players (especially those under 35) on the PGA Tour are far ‘fitter’ than their counterparts were 20 years ago. This can be attributed to one thing … Woods, he revolutionised physical preperation for golf. I’m not talking about the BS stories that he can bench 400 but you cannot make a golf swing the way he does without being athletic, it is physically impossible!

By the definition of some here the following aren’t sports either
Bowling, Lawn Bowls, Croquet, Archery, powerlifting and I’m sure there are more.

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For sure. Nor are the following sports:
Boule, curling, darts, pool, synchronized swimming, table tennis, and any form of dancing. :slight_smile:

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Schumacher is the best, not me, says Tiger

4.00pm Wednesday September 13, 2006
By James Corrigan

It was apt that Tiger Woods should begin his three-week tour of the British Isles yesterday at the place where he has made all his rivals feel so inferior.

No, not on the golf course - at the bank.

The HSBC headquarters in London’s Canary Wharf was a slightly surreal setting for the world’s No 1 to be giving his press conference ahead of the World Match Play which begins tomorrow, but then when you are paying as much as the global financiers are for Woods’ presence at Wentworth this week, you have every right to take a golfing Mohammed to his mountain of money.

And what Woods was saying turned out to be slightly surreal, anyway.

For the 30-year-old, who is on a five-tournament winning run and has never looked more masterful, does not concur with the majority of the universe that he is the greatest sportsperson in the world.

Neither does he believe that the mantle belongs to his new best mate, Roger Federer.

“In my eyes, Michael Schumacher has to be,” said Woods about the Formula One colossus who announced his retirement on the weekend.

“His consistency does it for me. He’s performed year in, year out, in a sport watched globally under immense pressure.”

So, too, has Federer, the Swiss might argue, although perhaps not too vehemently with Woods, who sat at courtside in New York last Sunday.

The pair met before and after the 25-year-old’s US Open victory over Andy Roddick and Woods suspects that the kinship may be everlasting.

“It’s nice to have a person you can talk to and relate to,” he said.

“The things he and I are dealing with are comparable. We are going to be friends for a long time.”

Indeed, there was even a suggestion that Federer will join the golfing pilgrims at the K Club next week where Woods will attempt to prove his conversion to the Ryder Cup before moving on to the final leg of his transatlantic jaunt at the Amex Championship in Watford.

The 12-time major winner does not admit much when it comes to his comparable failings in the biennial tear-up, but at least he was willing to concede that in the early days the intense social build-up was a headache.

“I’m not a real big function guy, so there are parts that were never fun for me,” he said.

“When I first played in '97 I remember Mark O’Meara telling me, ‘get your sleep now because when you get there you won’t sleep a lot’.”

Not that Woods anticipates that being too much of a problem in Ireland.

Tom Lehman’s transformation of this lone beast into a leader of the herd is already the stuff of legend and is best emphasised by Woods taking out the four rookies in the American team for a meal three weeks ago - at a tournament, on a school night.

Why did he commit such a sin? The answer was obvious in his glowing praise for his captain.

“Tom’s been just great,” he said.

“Over the last year we have had numerous discussions not just about golf, but about life. That’s been the neat thing about it.”

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golf and car racing are not sports. they require little athletic ability. would you call a illegal street drag racer an athlete? i wouldnt. they are basically the same as F1 and rally drivers and that imo.

quite frankly, to be the most dominating athlete, you need records, wins and championships behind your name. but more important, you need athletiscm (sp) like speed, power, strength, endurance, flexibility and so forth.

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Pa-leese

Now if you want to make an arguement, you could debate the relative merit of this statement:
The greatest coach is(was) Earl Woods.
(for not putting a basketball/football/baseball)
in Tiger’s crib…

ESPN Radio says it best when they describe the PGA as “Tiger and a bunch of lumpy country clubbers”

How about defining a measuring stick?

MJ on the course vs Tiger on the court?
MJ behind the wheel vs Schumacher on the court?
Same with Federer, and anyone else.

Sort of paraell to why some say that the Decath greats are the world’s best athlete at any given time…