Tiger Woods- The Greatest?

Is Tiger Woods the most important sports figure on the planet?

Many would argue that indeed Woods is the most important athlete of the modern era and should take his rightful place along side Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens, Diego Maradona and Babe Ruth. All of these men were dominant in their field and are held in the highest regard amongst critics, fans and contemporaries. Ali and Owens achievements were of as greater social and political importance as they were sporting achievement, so can Tiger live up to these lofty heights.

The Athlete

Eldrick Tont 'Tiger' Woods was first brought to the attention of the golfing world when at age 2 he appeared on 'The Mike Douglas Show' in a putting competition against comedian Bob Hope. His many amateur and junior tournament victories laid the path of things to come, he dominated the Junior World Golf Championship winning six times including four consecutive titles and became the only multiple winner of the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

Tiger's professional career has been just as successful, he is currently second all time, trailing only the great Jack Nicklaus, in Major tour wins and is the only person to hold all four major trophies at the same time, this is however not considered a true Grand Slam as they did not all occur in the same golfing season, the achievement is referred to as the 'Tiger Slam.' He has also topped the PGA money rankings on eight out of his thirteen seasons and only once, his rookie year, finished outside the top four.

The Man

It is not though just his ability on the golf course that makes him such a remarkable sportsman. Woods is widely regarded as the 'most marketable athlete' and has numerous endorsements both from within the sporting world and in main stream advertising. He is credited with turning round the fortune of Nike's golf brand, taking a small division of the Nike brand to being golf's premier equipment. Wood's appeal crosses every demographic, his mixed race heritage has helped bring golf to a whole new audience without ever using his background for gain. He has been widely compared to Michael Jordan, not only for his dominance in his sport but for the popularity away from the game, his Nike endorsements are a reminder of the global image that was Jordan in the 1980's. Then comes Tiger's charity work, The Tiger Woods Foundation, aimed at disadvantaged children, the Tiger Woods Learning Center and Tiger Jam an annual concert which has raised over $10 Million.

It is all this combined into one package that puts Tiger Woods ahead of all his modern contemporaries. Tthere are players that have been at the top of there game for long periods, players who have re-written the rule books and players who have given as much back to their game and community as they could but none who have managed to combine all of these qualities into one remarkable athlete

Marshall Stops Play

There are many reasons for sporting events to be cancelled or delayed, but the Portugal Masters was recently held up after a Marshall had to be rescued from the lake.

After losing his balance Graham Finch fell into the water at the 7th hole. He is unable to swim and had to be saved by a colleague.

The experience was no laughing matter for Graham, but the irony of Jean Van de Velde, who famously lost The Open Championship after a brush with water, was not lost on him.

Padraig Harrington PGA Player of the Year

Padraig Harrington was named PGA Player of the Year on Tuesday. Harrington is the first Irishman to win the award and just the second European to achieve the award, Nick Faldo was Player of the Year in 1990.

Padraig won the The Open Championship and the US PGA this season.

Introduction

Hi, I am Alastair, a student at The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). For the Digital Newsroom module we are required to blog on a specific sport, in this case golf.