The Long Haul: Slumpin' To Consider
(August 23, 2004)

Perhaps you heard that Tiger Woods has entered a slump.

The world's best-known golfer just doesn't have it any more, the pundits say. The reasons offered are fairly well known. He has lost his edge because he is engaged to a beautiful woman. He fired the coach who helped Tiger refine the swing that propelled him to unheard-of heights in professional golf. One opponent within the last year said that Tiger's clubs were inferior.

And, the proof? Tiger hasn't won a major championship since the U.S. Open in 2002. More than two years without a major! It's a public relations nightmare!

Personally, my goal is to have a slump just as good as Tiger's.

You see, last year was the first in a long time in which Eldrick Woods did not lead the PGA Tour in money earned. He came in second to Vijay Singh in 2003. Singh last year earned almost $7.6 million on the Tour; Woods brought home about $6.7 million.

The rest of the story? Singh played 27 tournaments, Woods 18.

This year, Singh leads the money list with more than $6.9 million, including a triumph in the recently completed PGA Championship. As of mid-August, Woods was the fourth leading money winner in 2004 - with a mere $3.5 million and change to show for the 15 tournaments he had played.

So, is Tiger tailing off at the ripe old age of 28? Maybe a little. Have the other players caught up to him? Some, indeed, have.

But, the public relations lesson in all of this is to maintain perspective. In this case, the short-term woes are minor compared to Tiger's record of consistent excellence.

During the PGA Championship, much was made of Tiger's close encounter on Friday with making the cut - having a score low enough to qualify him for the final two days of play. He played brilliantly at the end of the second round to make his 129th consecutive cut.

Year after year after year, if he enters a tournament, he's playing all four days. How hard is that to do?

Among the best golfers in the world, as of mid-August, Tiger led the pack at 129 consecutive cuts, and the next closest player on the PGA Tour's list had 25.

-- Jim Wisuri