There are sportsmen throughout history who have been, by far, head and shoulders above everyone in their chosen field.

Personality, general conduct and respect have mounted on particular phenomenons not being as appealing, or globally appreciated, as perhaps they should have been.

Tiger Woods was a child prodigy who fulfilled every ounce of the potential seen in him - and more. Many child prodigy’s collapsed under the enormous pressure heaped upon them; lost into a depressive world of what might have been.

'Not content with being a naturally gifted golfer, Woods worked on anything and everything in his quest for perfection'


Born Eldrick Woods in December, 1975, he was putting with Bob Hope on national television at the age of three. At the same age, the youngster shot a 48 over nine holes in California. America was set to introduce a true global sporting phenomenon who would be recognised outside of their own country for the first time since Muhammad Ali.

Babe Ruth, Joe Montana and Michael Jordan could never reach into Europe and the rest of the world in their respective sports. It must have been feared that however Woods was looked after, there would be too many pitfalls ready to trip him up. His late father, Earl, must take tremendous credit for nurturing Tiger and pushing him in the right direction at all times.

To date, Tiger has amassed 13 majors, including four Masters titles, two US Opens, three other Opens and four USPGA titles. And he is only 33. Jack Nicklaus had won 12 majors by this age.

Of course, the comparisons were there from the very beginning but such comparisons between differing eras and generations are neither fair nor true. What is true is that the trappings and pressure of modern-day sport in general are a little more demanding and produce a wider range of pressures than ever before.

Amazingly, after only 42 weeks as a professional golfer, Woods was sitting at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings. In 1999 he received the PGA Tour Player of the Year; the first of nine such awards, in itself a record. In 2000 he won three consecutive majors and set or tied for 27 Tour records. The list goes on endlessly.

In winning the US Open in 2000 by a 15-stroke margin, Woods broke a record that had stood since 1862. Sports Illustrated called it "the greatest performance in golfing history.” 2001 marks the only time in modern Grand Slam history that anyone has held all four at the same time - a feat that was to become known as the "Tiger Slam”.

With records falling like dominos, people were beginning to wonder if Woods had a weakness. An inevitable slump did occur but not for a prolonged period, proving his willingness to eradicate any deficiencies as swiftly as possible.

Not content with being a naturally gifted golfer, Woods worked on anything and everything in his quest for perfection whilst welcoming as many challenges and/or obstructions put in his way. Extra yardage was added to tees in an effort to slow Woods down.

Sports writer Bill Lyon penned a book "Isn’t Tiger Woods actually bad for golf?". It was feared that Woods’ domination would drive (no pun intended) the spirit of competition out of the game, relegating opponents to vying for second place.

A study in general brought to the fore the plain facts that modern golfers have adapted, upped and improved their games whilst competing with Woods and the general standard has risen to an unprecedented level.

Not content with being a modern innovator of the game where everyone has benefited, Woods has set up a Foundation aimed at helping disadvantaged children. His annual "Tiger Jam" has raised more than $10million for the Foundation with celebrities like Bon Jovi and Sting.

In this day and age, when it is very difficult to point your own children towards a sporting ambassador who is a genuine superstar with no airs or graces; who still has the dignity to remember those less fortunate than himself, it is a blessing and a privilege that Eldrick "Tiger" Woods is sitting at the top of the tree.