The Week August 15-21

Wow!
Three straight majors is impressive, but Tiger's holding the
scoring record in all four blows us away.

Hang Time
Sophie Gustafson's nine-shot lead fell to one, but she held on
to win the British Open.

No-Brainer
Doug Tewell's no fool. Instead of taking a flier in Louisville,
he chose a sure thing in Utah.

--PGA Woods won the PGA by a stroke in a three-hole playoff at
Valhalla against Bob May, after tying him in regulation at
18-under 270. That gives Woods the scoring record, in relation
to par, in all four majors, something no other player has
accomplished.... No one has won four in a row, either.... Tiger
was 53 under in Grand Slam events this year--35 strokes better
than the next best golfer, Ernie Els.... Woods's winning
percentage in the majors since turning pro has climbed to 31.3%
(five of 16). At his current pace he will surpass Jack Nicklaus
and win number 19 in 2011, when he's 35.... Final-round coverage
of the PGA drew a 10.1 rating, the highest in tournament history
and a 30% increase over last year.

--LPGA Gustafson birdied the final hole at Royal Birkdale
and won for the fourth time this year, by two shots over four
players.... Karrie Webb, upset that TV commentators had pointed
out an illegal drop last Saturday that resulted in her being
assessed a two-stroke penalty, told a BBC reporter to "shove it"
after the round.

--SENIOR Tewell, who was eligible to play at Valhalla because
he's the reigning PGA Seniors champ, instead decided to play in
the Novell Utah Showdown in Park City, where he beat Gil Morgan
by two shots for his third victory of the year.... Why is 43 the
age limit on the new Women's Senior tour? Because the circuit
wanted to include 43-year-old Nancy Lopez, who last week shot an
18-over 234 and finished 34th at the tour's first event, the
$500,000 ShopKo Great Lakes Classic in Green Bay, 28 strokes
behind winner Vicki Fergon, who earned $75,000.

--ALSO Cheyenne Woods, Tiger's 10-year-old niece, shot a
two-over 74 for a four-shot victory in her age division at the
Kids Golf USA World Championship in Jekyll Island, Ga.

COLOR PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPH BY JIM GUND Firing for four No sooner had Woods won his third consecutive major than the debate began: Will it count as a Grand Slam if he wins next year's Masters?

UP and Down

Tiger Woods Michael Jordan
PGA Masters, U.S. and British Opens
Bob Maynia Ernie's Army
Paul Azinger Chris Perry
BBC Karrie Webb