Woods Chases Nicklaus Record
As the British Open kicks off today on Scotland’s St Andrews Old Course, the talk for Tigermania fans has mostly been a debate on whether or not the 35-year-old can get his groove back in time to save his dwindling career and public image. What everyone seems to be neglecting to discuss is the turning point St Andrews marks in Woods quest to win more majors than golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
In the pre-scandal height of his career Woods was expected to surpass Nicklaus’ 18 majors titles as quickly as he had accumulated 14 of his own. Woods has slowed down considerably in his drive for upsetting the record, and has everyone sceptical of whether he can pull of one more win let alone the four he needs to match Nicklaus’ 18.
Most great players don’t win a major past the age of 40. Tom Watson hasn’t won since he was 33, and Nick Faldo and Greg Norman couldn’t win past 38. The 40 cutoff is of course with the exception of Golden Bear, Nicklaus’ affectionate nickname, who surprised everyone with winning an 18th major at Augusta in 1986; He was 46 years old.
Woods at 34 seems young to us non-athletes but in golf years he is getting up there. “I still think he's got a 90 percent chance to do it," says Steve Sticker, winner of the John Deere Classic last week at the TCP Deere run. "He's in better shape than Jack was." When reminded that Woods has a persistent left knee injury, Stricker readjusted his assessment, “Okay, let’s say 80 percent.”
So Woods has another five and a half years before it is statistically possible for him to win more majors – 22 majors away. Of the 52 majors Woods has already played as a professional, he has won 14, working itself out to be about one major every four years.
Woods will have another five chances at Augusta, one of his happy places where he has fared well despite recent hecklers. Of his 13 events there he has been successful four times although none of those wins were in his last four appearances there. Woods is experiencing his longest streak without a green jacket, and Woods doesn’t intimidate the way he once did. The field is filled with younger and quite possibly more determined players.
With five more U.S. Opens in his prime, Woods still stands a good chance to grab one of those titles, but is doubtful the wins will be at Pebble Beach where he’s won before. Woods needs to reconnect and rekindle the relationship with his driver if he wants to edge his way into the crowded Us Open competition. The 2011 US Open will be at Congressional where he finished T19 as a rookie, and then at Olympic where his best finish was T18. Not the best finishes, however Merion and Chambers Bay will also host the coming Opens, two courses Woods has not competed at.
The PGA Tour Championships will be taking place across the country, but have not been the best in environment in the past for Woods to flourish. The competitions will be held at Whistling Straits this year, but is not the best course for Woods game right now, so let’s count that win out. When Woods played the course in 2004 he came in 24th place. As for the other venues, Valhalla will be his best chance. He could pull off another win here as the course holds found memories for Woods.
But how well he does in the future all comes down to how well he does this week at St Andrews. Woods has won the Open Championship twice on this course, and it is one of his favourites. The competition will probably be held here in 2015, so if he can’t pull off a win this time he still have one more chance to regain the glory from his 2000 and 2005 victories on Scottish links.
St Andrews is the defibrillator that could jump start Woods life and career. The long fairways are perfect, practically invented for him. He won his first championship here by 8 shots, and the second by five. Not only would a win at St Andrews boost his confidence, it would get the media off his back about his personal life, and get them to focus more on his golf. Losing will only make things worse, for his career and his life.
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