Happy 38th birthday, Tiger Woods. Here's a big dose of external pressure just for you.
The Golf Channel is reporting that former PGA professional-turned golf analyst Johnny Miller says Woods' chase for Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 wins in major championships will continue to be in a stall pattern unless he can break through in the 2014 Masters.
"The Masters signals a lot for Tiger," Miller said. "If he doesn't win the Masters, I think he gets a great big 'Oh-oh.' That place is so perfect for him.
"What he does at Augusta is really important. If he were to win at Augusta, I'd almost bet you he'll win another major this year. But, if he doesn't win at Augusta, I think the odds of him winning one are not that great."
Media reports, including several from The Golf Channel, discussed the state of Tiger Woods' chase for Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 wins in Grand Slam events as Woods celebrated another birthday on Monday.
Woods has 14 major championships, but hasn't won one since the 2008 U.S. open. Eighteen grand slam events have taken place since then, and Woods has produced an Oh-fer.
The Golf Channel's Jason Sobel reports that only two players in the history of the PGA tour have won at least four majors since their 38th birthday: Nicklaus, who won four, and Ben Hogan, who claimed five.
Woods reestablished his dominance in the golf world last year, winning five events, but none of the grand slams.
The Golf Channel's Randall Mell, however, points out that the sites of the four major championships - Augusta National (Masters), Pinehurst No. 2 (U.S. Open), Royal Liverpool (British Open) and Valhalla (PGA Championship) are all courses in which Woods has enjoyed considerable success.
He's won the Masters four times, finished second (2005) and third (1999) at Pinehurst for the U.S. Open, won the British Open the last time it was at Royal Liverpool (2006) and won the PGA Championship at Valhalla in 2000.
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