No sneaking Tiger, this one

Gene Wojciechowski says Tiger Woods is the greatest individual athlete ever, and points, among other things, to his 12/12 record in Majors when he has or shares the lead after three days. That's all great. But what about when he doesn't lead after three days? He's 0 for life!

Wojciechowski compares Tiger to Michael Jordan. What if MJ and the Bulls had only ever won NBA Finals games that they led after three quarters? Sure, it would be a great accomplishment just to win every such game. (Jordan and company played far more than twelve, though, so even if they were as good, they'd be far less likely to be undefeated.) But only those games? That probably doesn't equate to six championships. Maybe it does. Somebody should check.

There are some straightforward conclusions to draw here. Tiger Woods is obviously the best prepared golfer that we have yet seen. He's among the best prepared of all athletes. Woods is to golf as Michael Jackson was to music. His father cultivated his skills practically from birth. Who else can say that?

It comes as no surprise that he is capable of dominating the field. And when he dominates the field, he wins majors. 12/12. But when he hasn't had his A game, or when someone else has enjoyed three days of good luck, he doesn't. Tiger can't be the greatest athlete ever until he can win those tournaments that he doesn't dominate. After all, those are far more common.

Then again, I know next to nothing about golf.