One of my favorite Tiger Woods stories comes from 2000 when he was about to play the Canadian Open.
He was in the midst of majors — he had won the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship — and would eventually win a fourth straight the following spring at The Masters.
It was supposed to be a week off of sorts. When the relaxed Tiger had arrived at the famed Glen Abbey course in Oakville, Ontario, he got some news.
He needed to win the Canadian Open to join Lee Trevino as the only golfer to win the national championship in the U.S., Great Britain and Canada in the same year.
Tiger didn't even know about the "record." Of course, his relaxing week went out the window. A challenge was indirectly tossed his way.
And, of course, he met it. He won.
I bring up that story because I believe it explains why he might be the greatest athlete in the world ... ever.
Yes, better than Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth and even our Tommy Brady.
In what was supposed to be a fun day at the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational. Tiger was tied with Vijay Singh, who several years ago appeared to be pushing Tiger for the "world's best" crown.
Tiger would make a big putt. Singh would miss a big putt. And national ratings for Arnie's tourney would get a big boost.
But Tiger, as usual, did it one better. He did what he has always seemed to have done — rise to the occasion.
When is the last time Tiger blew it? When is the last time he choked? When is the last time an opposing player made the big putt on the 18th hole and Tiger missed?
Folks, I'll tell you when: Never.
I don't want to argue whether Tiger is an athlete or golf is a sport, because it's not even an argument. Tiger has showed that he is an elite athlete and golf is maybe the most difficult sport to master.
I have argued for a few years now that Tiger is knocking on Jack Nicklaus' door. The 18 majors Nicklaus won is the barometer.
But that is an old argument. Tiger is the greatest golfer of all time. Nicklaus is only the second best, and he knows it.
I do believe that in their primes, Nicklaus would have been the only player to push Tiger. Nicklaus might have won or stolen a few majors and Player of the Year trophies in duels with Tiger.
But Tiger would have won the majority.
I've always believed Nicklaus, to this day, is one of the toughest sportsmen mentally God has ever created. But Tiger is equally as tough and he is even a better athlete.
I could go on, literally for hours, reeling off Tiger's records.
The fact that, at 32 years old, he already has passed Palmer in wins with 64 (Palmer had 62) and tied another legend, Ben Hogan, is amazing beyond belief. Tiger needed 10 years versus 21 years Hogan did to get to 64.
He is now nine behind Nicklaus (83) and 18 behind the all-time leader, Sam Snead.
But that's only window dressing. Tiger could retire today and my view wouldn't change. He is the best ever.
Yesterday was more proof of his stature and his ability to perform at the opportune time, which is of course what athletes, particularly the legendary ones, do with such repetition.
At Bay Hill, the previous 71 holes he didn't make a putt longer than 181/2 feet. This last putt sat about 25 feet way, breaking a little less than four feet to his right.
And before the putt, a major wind gust, blowing in a direction it hadn't blown all day, forced a little adjustment before his last iron shot, which landed in the middle of the green, "exactly one foot" from where he aimed according to his caddy.
Anyway, Tiger needed to two-putt for a playoff with little-known Bart Bryant, a 45-year-old who had the tournament of his life with four rounds under par.
Did anybody there in Orlando or on their family room recliners believe Tiger was going to miss?
Tiger, of course, made it. He always makes it.
That means he has now won five PGA tournaments in a row, the third time he has done that in his career.
My guess is he won't win them all in 2008, but I wouldn't bet against him. I would never bet against the best of all time.
You can e-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.
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