GOLF: Tiger Woods is that darn good

Tiger Woods is the best athlete in sports. There is no contest, no argument. During the previous year, Woods has shown the mettle and presence to put him in the echelon reserved for the Michael Jordan's of the sporting world.

Those who watched Woods in the Masters can only be impressed with his performance. As Woods, Phil Mickelson and David Duval walked the back nine of Augusta, only one man made every shot he needed. Mickelson and Duval missed key putts that could have made the tournament closer than it was. Woods made the shots necessary to win and unprecedented fourth consecutive major. Woods possessed the ability to play under pressure, something neither Mickelson nor Duval accomplished. Great athletes play well with pressure and this trait distances them from the athletes that aspire to greatness.

Woods also won with all the pressure on him. Leading up the Masters, everyone talked about the possible Grand Slam. The scrutiny and pressure was on Woods, not his rivals. However, Woods played to his level and won his fourth consecutive Masters. Good athletes win in the regular season or small tournaments. The pressure is not as intense. Great athletes triumph at the highest level of their sports and when the pressure is at its greatest.

Woods is a refreshing athlete in the modern era. While most athletes claim they play for championships, most play for the money and fringe benefits of stardom. Woods, though, plays to win championships. In this way he resembles Michael Jordan. Both were extremely wealthy athletes who won championship after championship. People did not begrudge Jordan's $33 million contract because he earned it. He won six championships. How many titles will Alex Rodriguez win in the forthcoming decade? Woods too will make inordinate amounts of money this year but he will earn every dollar.

Woods' play at the Masters this week merely reinforced what golfing fans know: we are watching the best athlete of this generation.