After learning of Tiger Wood’s 10 hole par streak late yesterday, I deliberately chose to delay the release of an official response in order to let what had happened fully process. Although I am extremely disappointed, I understand that nothing lasts forever and records (no matter how seemingly untouchable) are meant to be broken. I congratulate Tiger and his family for this accomplishment and fully expect him to carry the mantle forward with the same grace and humility that I did.
That being said, there are a few nagging questions surrounding yesterday’s events that remain. It is certainly not my intent to diminish what Tiger did, but after further reflection and review, this is starting to have the “feel” of a Roger Maris/Mark McGuire/Barry Bonds situation. Such as….
1. Is the PGA Championship a sanctioned event? I’m not saying it’s not but I think the question needs to be asked.
2. Course modification. One of the “so called” pars Tiger made during his streak yesterday was on a hole originally designed to be a par 5 that had been converted to a par 4 solely for this championship. Meaning that a strong argument could be made that his par recorded on that hole should have in fact been a birdie, thus breaking the streak.
3. The curious case of hole #17. When is the last time we saw Tiger Woods 3-putt for par from 12 feet? I find it rather convenient that is exactly what happened yesterday on the par-5 (17th) as he was going for the (record breaking) 9th par in a row? If we suspect (as I do) that he intentionally 3-putted with the sole intent to break my record, does that put a stain on the accomplishment? I’ll let others decide.
The question of legitimacy will ultimately be up to those in the media and the golf community as a whole. Until it’s settled, I think a temporary asterisk next to the record would be an appropriate measure but it’s not up to me. I just simply want to congratulate Tiger on his ‘accomplishment’ and wish him the best in today’s final round.
