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Is Tiger one of the all-time greats? Most users says yes, but want to wait before final decision
With his British Open victory, Tiger Woods won golf's Grand Slam at the age of 24. Does this cement him as one of the game's all-time greatest? Or in your eyes does he still have more to prove in order to be included with the likes of Nicklaus, Sarazen, Snead and Palmer? Most CNNSI.com users say that without question he is golf's greatest player, but most think he needs to withstand the test of time before becoming the game's "all-time greatest." A sample of the responses from CNNSI.com users received follows: Tiger Woods already has more winnings, more wins and more grand slam wins lifetime than anyone else on the regular tour. If that does not make him one of the all time greats then no one else playing the game today (tour regulars) deserve to be called that. The fact he has done it in a short time does not lessen that status, rather it enhances it. The belief that he needs to stand the test of time is ridiculous in this instance because his accomplishments are greater already than every other golfer playing regularly. His four years are so dominating that the so-called test of time is unnecessary.
Tiger is definetly one of the greatest golfers of all time - but he still has a long way to go to surpass Jack. Nicklaus not only won 18 majors, he finished second 19 times. He also played in the day of Wooden drivers, steel shafts, normal pitching wedges and, by today's standards, range balls. He still hit the ball 300 yards, even back then. Imagine what he could do now, if in his prime? It's not like Tiger has scored way better than Jack did on any of the courses. Plus, Jack was as mentally tough as they come. He loved pressure and loved competition.
There is no doubt that Tiger is one of the all time great golfers. He has elevated the game of golf to another level, much like Nicklaus. What he must show now is the ability to do this over the years like Nicklaus and others and not just to sustain this level of play for just a few years.
I think already he is the best player who ever lived. Statistically, his play against the golf courses, not just the players, is better than anyone's. He has more talent, physically and mentally, than any other player. Others have better records, but I don't think anyone has a better record for his age or for as long as he's been a pro. His amateur record is unmatched. One of my all-time favorites is Bobby Jones. I think greatness is not measured just by longevity (as in Nicklaus), but by brilliant play for as long as the person played and for the opportunities one has or had. Snead only played in one British Open (he won). He couldn't afford to play in any others. How many would Snead have won? Nicklaus was a prolific player. Moreover, he had limitless opportunities that other great players didn't have. So, for me, there are a handful of great players who exceed even Nicklaus, but for the statistical wins. I think Tiger exceeds them all.
Yes it does cement him as one of the all time greats. To do what he is doing in golf is unreal. I don't think people really understand that. The 25th-ranked player in the world and the 300th-ranked player in the world is a minute difference in talent. For a man to have everything in the world financially, and still be focused enough to train and work hard and dominate GOLF at that level far surpasses anything anyone has ever done in sports, including Michael Jordan, who I absolutely admire to no end. The man is only 24, the average 24 year old does not even know his name. With all the expectations and hype, he continues to excell. He is the REAL DEAL. What will critics say now? People should have known when he birdied the last three holes in the Junior Amateur to get in a playoff to win his third straight title. At 16 to have the fortitude to pull that off should have been telling.
Well, I would, but Tiger made the case all by himself. He could retire now and still be one of the greatest of all time. The only case he has yet to make is to become THE greatest, and I believe that he is only a few short years from doing just that. There is nothing I can add to bolster what he has already proven.
Is this a trick question? Anyone with doubts should just look at the way he has obliterated the record books at three of the four majors. He's been so good that it almost makes one wonder what happened at last year's PGA, when he only won by one. He belongs with the best. Where he ends up in relation to the rest will come out over time, though I have a feeling he'll leave no doubters.
You didn't include Bobby Jones or Byron Nelson. Mr. Woods is on the verge of joining the greats but let him first win about eight or so of the majors and then he can walk into those "hallowed" halls. I think there is a good chance that by the the time he is 30, Mr. Woods can be ranked with the "immortals" of the game. I applaud his demeanor off the course.
I really don't care what anybody else would say! For me, I feel very fortunate to watch Tiger Woods in blowing away the competition. I will surely remember the vivid details of his composure and determination versus the look of his opponents succumbing to the pressure. He already holds three out of the four major championship scores. Let's just wait until he defends his PGA Championship. I'm willing to bet that Tiger will now set his eyes on the distinction of holding all the scoring records in the major championships. Enough said!!!
You've got to be kidding. Over the last two years, Tiger is THE greatest ever, and furthermore, I don't think that can be debated much. The remaining question is, can he survive the test of time, and continue to be as great over the course of 20-30 years as Nicklaus was. Over a given period of time, however, no one has been better. He not only beats these deep, talent rich fields of golfers, he laps them. Nicklaus, Miller, Palmer, Hogan, all had dominant stretches, but they weren't consistently blowing fields away. Generally there was some question on Sundays. Not for Tiger in three of his four major wins. I'm a huge fan of all the games greats, but Tiger is THE BEST, EVER PERIOD.
Tiger is one of the greatest of all time,if not the greatest. The competition and equipment today are far greater than in the days of Sarazen, Hogan and Jones. Player, Snead, Palmer and Nicklaus were formidable players that provided great competition in an era of golf greatness and rise to power with the general public. None of these golfers except maybe Nicklaus could compete week in and week out with Tiger Woods and win. Tiger is the man!
Tiger is a great player there can be no denying this, but greatness is measured by endurance, persistence, and sustained integrity. These attributes were evident in Nicklaus, Sarazen, Snead, and Palmer. The label of "all time greatest" at such an early stage in Tiger's career is a disservice to the aforementioned golfing legends. This incredibly gifted young man wills and desires to win like none other. It will be a pleasure watching him over the years "earn" greatness and answer the question in many of our minds "what else will Tiger do to amaze us?" Only time will tell and at 24 years of age (not yet in his prime!), Tiger will break many of his competitor's hearts and delight the hearts of many loyal fans.
Tiger is definitley the best we have seen in the last 100 years! Nicklaus is the still the all-time greatest, having played more than 40 years of golf. Tiger himself would admit that too. However, and this is the main point, Tiger will become the all-time greatest and probably in less than a 40 year career span. I am so excited to be able to watch and enjoy the perfection a true sports hero in my own lifetime.
There's no questions Woods must be considered among the all time greats. Unlike other major sports, there have been few changes to the game of golf. The game is pretty much the same as it was in the days of Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and the other greats. If anything, the courses may be a bit more difficult today than they were years ago. Can anyone say today's major league baseball, basketball, football and hockey resemble the same games that were played in the 40s, 50s or 60s?
We all know that every so often a phenomenon comes along in all aspects of life. At the moment Tiger Woods fits that mold in the world of golf. The accomplishments this young man has achieved on the Pro circuit in such a short time certainly qualify him to be mentioned with the great names of the game. But let's be realistic about it, Palmer, Nicklaus, Sarazen, Hogan and the other great golfers earned their greatness by sustaining their dominance for many years. Before we hoist Tiger too high on the pedestal too soon, let's give him a few more years to prove he truly deserves to be in the same club with the golfing legends of the past. Who knows, in the long run he may just be the greatest golfer of all time.
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