Tiger Is the Quarter Master

One down, three to go for the kind of Grand Slam no one could dispute.

By holding all four professional golf major championship titles at one time--something he did by winning the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship in 2000 and the 2001 Masters--Tiger Woods already claims a Grand Slam of sorts.

However, there’s only one way to silence those who say a true Grand Slam is accomplished in one calendar year.

“I’ve done four in a row before, but it would be nice to do four in a row in the same year,” Woods said after his three-stroke victory Sunday in the Masters. “It would be different than how I did it the last time.”

In more ways than one.

Complicating Woods’ chances for a sweep is the fact that he’s never played a professional round over the courses that will be the sites of the next three majors. That said, there is no question that when Woods’ game is clicking, as it seems to be whenever majors roll around, he’s difficult to beat.

“There isn’t any course that doesn’t set up well for his game when he’s on,” said Mike Schultz, the head professional at Hazeltine National, site of the PGA Championship in August. “I don’t see anything about his game that would put him at any kind of disadvantage on any course.”

The PGA Championship is the last major of the year, so talking about Hazeltine may be getting a little ahead. For Woods to win a Grand Slam, he will have to get through the U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., in June and the British Open at Muirfield in July.

Bethpage Black, which will host a major for the first time, is, at 7,214 yards, the longest course in the history of the U.S. Open. It features three of the longest par-four holes ever used in the Open, including the 499-yard 12th and 492-yard 10th, the two longest. The British Open was last played at Muirfield in 1992 and before that in 1987. The course has been lengthened to 7,034 yards, nearly 100 yards longer than 1992.

Hazeltine National, in Chaska, Minn., has also been lengthened. It will play at 7,360 yards, about 215 yards longer than it was when Payne Stewart won the 1991 U.S. Open there.

Of course, long holes play into Woods’ hands. He ranks second on the PGA Tour in driving distance with a 296.4-yard average. That and his legendary creativity in making his way around courses should negate any disadvantage of playing on unfamiliar turf.

“These courses all require careful thought and course management,” said Geoff Shackleford, a Los Angeles-based golf historian. “That’s a big part of Tiger’s game. It’s fun for him to go someplace new and figure out how to play it. He’s very comfortable adjusting to a new course. [Bobby] Jones, [Jack] Nicklaus and [Ben] Hogan were the same way. They relish that challenge.”

Lack of familiarity might hurt Woods most at the British Open. Muirfield, in Scotland, is known for swirling, changing winds. Experience at the course is an important factor for club selection in certain conditions, but even that might not be enough to slow Woods. “Muirfield will be the toughest for him because it requires that local knowledge,” Shackleford said. “But at the same time, Tiger is one of the best ball strikers in the world and he’s a great wind player.”

Nick Faldo, at the time considered the top ball-striker and course manager in the world, won the last two British Opens at Muirfield. Woods is considered the current king of course management.

In the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, Woods will face a par-70 course with only two par fives. That could hurt Woods, who is 61 under on par-five holes this year but only eight under on par fours and one over on par threes.

Should Woods win the U.S. Open and British Open, Schultz said he doesn’t see anything at his course that would keep Woods from winning the first golf Grand Slam since Jones won the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur, the British Amateur and the British Open in 1930.

“I don’t think there is anything here that will stop Tiger,” Schultz said. “Hazeltine pretty much plays into the hands of someone like him. There are a great variety of shots and the par fives are reachable for long hitters. It would be fun to have him win and I’m sure if he won the next two we won’t have enough tickets for the demand.”

It’s as if people love watching Woods as much as he loves playing in--and winning--majors.

“I thoroughly enjoy playing these majors because it’s the challenge,” Woods said. “The golf course will be a lot more difficult. You know you always have the best players in the world attending.”

Another reason he enjoys majors: He’s won six of the last 10.

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The Final Three Major Tournaments

U.S. OPEN

When: June 13-16

Where: Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale, N.Y.

BRITISH OPEN

When: July 18-21

Where: Muirfield Golf Links, East Lothian, Scotland.

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

When: Aug. 15-18

Where: Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minn.