Monday, March 30, 2009

The Greatest

I have for a long time subscribed to the theory that Muhammad Ali was good to his word.

He was, as he often would remind us, “The Greatest.”

He has company.

If there is a more mesmerizing figure in the sports world than Tiger Woods, I have not yet met his or her acquaintance.

Very simply put, Woods is the most compelling figure in sports.

He was at it again yesterday. Just a few weeks into his comeback from knee surgery that had put him on the shelf since he won the U.S. Open last June on one leg, Woods was again in the hunt on Sunday.

Woods opened the day trailing Sean O’Hair by five strokes. O’Hair has local connections. He married a local girl, former All-Delco Sun Valley standout Jackie Lucas, herself a standout golfer. O’Hair played out of Concord Country Club. Usually that would mean our rooting loyalty would fall with him.

But there is something other-worldly about Woods, especially when he is on the leader board Sunday afternoon.

Slowly, inexorably, Woods took dead aim at O’Hair’s lead. In a heartbeat, O’Hair’s margin was whittled to a single stroke.

The stage was set. Woods was in his element. You pretty much knew what was coming, you just didn’t know how.

With darkness descending on Bay Hill Country Club, site of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, both men stood on the 18th tee dead even. Both hit the green in regulation. But it was Woods who had the legitimate birdie opportunity.

O’Hair tapped in for his par, then left the stage for the master.

Did anyone doubt that Woods was going to make that birdie putt? Nothing but the middle of the cup.

Move over Muhammad. Tiger is now “The Greatest.”

He is the greatest athlete of our time, and maybe of all time.

What he does, and the way he does it, is simply unmatched in sports.

In two weeks, Woods will again take up his personal mission, Jack Nicklaus’ record for wins in a major, at The Masters.

He will be the favorite to win. He almost always is. He has undergone major knee surgery. And returned to the winner’s circle.

Woods does something that transcends his game, in fact goes beyond sports. It is almost impossible to turn away when he is on the stage.

They call that greatness. Or in this case, “The Greatest.”

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