Tiger Woods: world’s best golfer and human, too

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 07/28/2007

 

 Two weeks ago, when Angel Cabrera of Argentina fired a final-round 69 to win his first career major championship — the United States Open at historic Oakmont Country Club just outside Pittsburgh, beating Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk by one shot — I believe many in the media went overboard in their criticism of Woods.

 It was the eighth time that the United States Golf Association (USGA) has held their premier event on the treacherous layout with knee-high rough and lightning-quick greens. It was also the fourth straight year that an American-born player failed to win our country’s National Championship.

 Who can forget last year, when Phil Mickelson handed the tournament to Geoff Ogilby of Australia with his now-famous mindless collapse, making a double bogey on the last hole after having a one-shot lead on the 18th tee? The year before that, Michael Campbell of New Zealand won, and in 2004 Retief Goosen of South Africa won the championship.

 It’s no surprise when foreign-born players win the United States Open — it’s happened 31 times now, including five in the last seven years. The USGA in years past has set up the United States Open to identify the best golfer that week under the toughest conditions.

 Only six players out of 156 shot below par in four rounds on the brutal Oakmont layout. The score 70 was par; the average score for the best players in the world was 75.

 Cabrera was the only player to break 70 twice, and that’s why he won. He shot 69 in round one and 69 in the final round. He led the tournament after 36 holes, and when it was said and done, his +5 total was enough for a one-shot win over Furyk and Woods.

 I felt that many in the media have been unfair to Woods, assuming he is going to win every major tournament as if the rest of the players don’t count. Tiger has won 12 major championships, and he just turned 31 in December. That’s the best in history by any player that’s ever played the game.

 In 42 majors, Woods has won 12 times — you do the math. He has yet to rally down the stretch and take the title away on the final day in 29 majors. However, he is 12 for 12 when he leads or has a share of the lead entering the final round of a major championship.

 Which one is the most impressive? To me the man with the lead is the favorite; that’s why he’s leading, because he’s playing the best. Woods has been close, but so far his charges have come up short.

 Take Furyk, for example. He was tied for the lead on Sunday with two holes to play after making three straight birdies. He gambled on the 17th hole and tried to drive the green, made a costly bogey and lost by one shot. Woods parred the last five holes and came up one shot short. So tell me, who blew it?

 I say Furyk because he did not have to try and drive the green, yet it’s Woods who takes all the heat. That’s not right. Woods has been in the final group of the last two majors, the Masters and the United States Open, and failed to win.

There is no shame in finishing second. Ask Vikings fans about those four Super Bowls.

 Woods is the only golfer in the world this year to win three or more tournaments. He’s number one on the money list, number one in the world by the widest margin in history, and he’s number one in Fed-Ex points. He’s finished second in the year’s first two majors with the British Open next; he’s the defending champion for both the British Open and the PGA Championship in August. He’s the first athlete ever to earn over $100 million in one year.

 Can Tiger catch a break?

Tiger gave it his best considering that his wife was pregnant and about to deliver their first child. His mind could not have been totally on golf — he had to be thinking about his wife’s condition. After all, the baby was born on June 18th, the day after he lost to Cabrera by one shot.

 Had Woods made birdie down the stretch, there would have been an 18-hole playoff on Monday, June 18th. And I’m certain Woods would have gone to be with his wife and to help deliver his first child.

Woods may be a super athlete and the world’s best golfer, but he’s human, too. He’s no different than you and I. Some media need to check themselves.