Despite Explosive Scandal, Tiger Woods Voted Athlete of the Decade (Be like Tiger)

Fox News ^ | 12-16-09

[carbonfeet]

Even after a shocking sex scandal that tarnished Tiger Woods, it was tough to ignore what he achieved on the golf course.

He won 64 times around the world, including 12 majors, and hoisted a trophy on every continent golf is played. He lost only one time with the lead going into the final round. His 56 PGA Tour victories in one incomparable decade were more than anyone except four of golf's greatest players won in their careers.

Woods was selected Wednesday as the Athlete of the Decade by members of The Associated Press in a vote that was more about 10 years of performance

[microgood]

Perhaps sportsman of the decade but nobody in a sport that requires so little quickness, speed, muscle, stamina, leaping ability, agility, etc should be considered as the world’s best athlete over a ten year period. Golf makes baseball look physically demanding. Its on par with bowling from an athleticism standpoint.

I don't know about that. He has had several knee surgeries, and it does require a lot of physical strength to knock a ball in a foot of rough 300 yards down the fairway. One of the reasons he is the best is his physical training. When he gets in trouble he can get out of it.

I would agree that in the old days it was not the case so much, but the competition now is much more fierce, so you need to drive the ball a long way.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Yet 1 still sees beer guts.

[uncbob]

Most great golfers were also very good at other sports

Read Snead—Nicklaus—Palmer—Hagan’s histories

[Always Right]

Not sure their was a great choice. Perhaps Micheal Phelps. Not much in football, Peyton Manning. LeBron James? Usain Bolt would have been interesting, but his body of work doesn’t really qualify. Albert Pujols? Roger Federer? Hard to see someone who has been even close to dominate as Tiger.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Michael Phelps would be, but he also has major moral problems (figures a Baltimore guy can’t be straight).

I’d say there is plenty in football, and Manning is 1, but 1 could say he only managed 1 SB yet, so maybe not all “dominant” as 1 would wish.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Hagan or Hogan?

As it is, were they recognized as professionals in other sports, much less top players there? I doubt we’re talking Jim Thorpe or Babe Didrickson types (LOL - I know, golf).

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I'm sure all the voting was done before they realized just how f'ed up he was and people saw him for who he really is.... where have I seen a similar scenario...??

Prize....ummm, ....Peace .....ummm, I dunno...

[UCANSEE2]

Well, at least Tiger is getting his award AFTER he actually accomplished something. Obama got his BEFORE.

[ejdrapes]

During the decade Federer won 15 slams to Tiger's 12. And he didn't win his first slam until 2003. No other men's tennis player has won more slams. Also he won 61 titles compared to Wood's 53 PGA titles. During the decade he made the finals of all 4 slams 3 (2006, 2007 and 2009) times and won 3 slams in the same year 3 times (2004, 2006 and 2007). He's only the 2nd man in the Open Era to win the career slam on all surfaces - grass, hard and clay. But he plays tennis (which no one in the USA gives a rats ass about) and is from Switzerland.

Woods won because the media is trying to salvage him right now with all the bad press he's getting.

[Always Right]

The guy who came in #2, Lance Armstrong would have been a better choice.

[TChad]

[uncbob]

Hagan He could have had a pro ball career
Same with Snead but they preferred sports where they didn’t have to rely on other players

I highly doubt that anybody that can shoot scratch golf is not a good athlete

[microgood]

Yet 1 still sees beer guts.

But when they are in the deep rough, they lay up, not go for the green.

[DemonDeac]

But do those demands compare to those of any other big money sport?