ShareThisBy JOHN ROHDE
Monday, October 23, 2006
While trying to defend his 7-11-2 career record in the Ryder Cup, ultimate individualist Tiger Woods freely mentions the man against whom he often is compared.
Everyone knows Jack Nicklaus won 18 professional major titles, and Woods is now No. 2 on the career list with 12 pro majors.
But Woods publicly wonders how many people know Nicklaus' career record in the Ryder Cup.
Woods' point? Golf is an individual sport. It's how players ultimately are ranked and remembered.
The Ryder Cup, however, is all about the team, a biennial competition between Americans and Europeans with 16 two-man matches and 12 singles matches.
In medalist play, you add up the strokes. In Ryder Cup play, you add up the points.
Woods' primary focus his whole life has been about Woods. He plays golf as him against the world, not two worlds going head-to-head.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. That's what makes Woods perhaps the best player ever.
But Woods mentioning Nicklaus' Ryder Cup record would have been more effective had the Golden Bear not excelled with a 17-8-3 career record.
Nicklaus excelled individually and as a teammate.
Though Woods certainly has garnered respect as the world's No. 1 player, he has struggled as a No. 1 teammate.
As an amateur, Woods was incredible in match play, winning three straight U.S. Junior Amateurs and three straight U.S. Amateurs _ a feat that will never be matched.
As a pro, however, Woods is 2-1-1 in singles matches and a combined 5-10-1 in foursome and four-ball play.
Why does Woods struggle at the Ryder Cup?
"Oh, I think in the past it's just been preparation and motivation," said Ryder Cup teammate Scott Verplank, who this week will play in his second Cup. "Obviously he's not comfortable depending or leaning on anybody else. He's a pretty solitary guy. He's a great guy, I think. But obviously in his realm _ the thing he has come closest to mastering than anybody else _ he is pretty solitary."
Verplank anticipates a different Woods this week during the 36th Ryder Cup at The K Club in Ireland.
"I think he's more excited this year," Verplank said.
Verplank was teammates with Woods on last year's Presidents Cup team that beat the International team 18 1/2-151/2. Woods is 10-9 all-time in Presidents Cup play.
"There's no question what he's interested in," Verplank said. "You play Tiger (in stroke play) and you know he's not going to give you anything. That's a given if you're playing against him. You know you're going to have to play well every shot.
"Maybe he thinks once you get to the top of the mountain, you don't want anybody else to get up there."
