How can anyone hate the World’s #1? Sure he dominates almost every tournament he enters; he is one of the wealthiest athletes of all time; he chases history everytime he tees it up; and he has a Swedish blonde bombshell of a wife. Wow, I guess I can hate him! Okay, hate is a strong word; but I can definatly be envious of Eldrick. And after capturing his 68th PGA Tour victory at his own event, the AT&T National at Congressional, everyone was envious.
The AT&T National was dreamt up by Team Tiger 3 years ago, as he conjured up a way to personify himself with a single event. Just like all the greats: Jack (Memorial), Arnie (Bay Hill), Hogan (Colonial), Nelson (HP Nelson) – Tiger has put himself himself the same shoes as these legends as a tournament host. But the AT&T National is not all about “the striped one” (kudos to Jim Rome); it’s very special because it is held in the burbs outside our nation’s capital, and honors the men and women service people that protect our country both at home and abroad. And it all happens on the weekend of our nation’s birthday!
Along with all of the pressures and time that come with playing in a PGA tournament, Tiger had the additional time constraints of coordinating, glad-handing and keeping a smile for the media. To me it sounds down right miserable! But not only was Tiger up to the challenge, but exceeded it as only he can do. He consistantly performed throughout the week with his only real obsticles being Anthony Kim’s first round course record, a red hot Sunday Hunter Mahan, and the par four 11th hole at Congressional’s Blue Course.
Let me start with my boy AK. Damn, this kid can play. He fired a course record 62 on Thursday, but could not continue his hot play the rest of the week, finishing only one under in his last 54 holes. And then there was fellow Ryder Cupper Hunter Mahan. He matched AK’s 62 except he did it at money-time; the final round. Teeing off almost two hours before the final pairing of Woods and Kim, Mahan desimated the Blue Course, igniting cheers throughout the rolling hills of Maryland.
And then there’s the lilly-padded 11th hole. I never saw anything take Tiger to his knees quite like this 489 yard hole converted to a par four from a member’s par five. In four rounds he compiled a massive pile of strokes, which left him at six-over on this hole alone! Tiger better be careful at the 2011 US Open, as the 11th will sneak up and bite him again! But I should know that we’re talking about Tiger here, I’m almost positive he’ll be singing his redemption song, entitled #11, in the Open. I’m willing to bet on that!
Despite all the host distractions and roadblocks in his way, Woods was still able to leave his own event victorious. And it was really to no one’s surprise, he is the world’s number and arguably the greatest player in the history of the sport. Here's a quick 09 wrap-up for Tiger so far in only 9 events: 3 wins, 8 top 10’s, 9 top 25’s, 1st in money, and 1st in the Fedex Cup race. Umm, not too bad, but I’m sure he’s not totally pleased as there are no majors mixed in there.
Either way, congrats to Tiger on another victory, once again his 68th. And as for his game and event hosting, in the words of the title sponsor, he ‘delivered’!
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