Is Tiger Woods Getting Even Better?
'I've been out here 25 years, and I've never seen this,' says Fred Couples.
Jan 28, 2008 — -- LA JOLLA, Calif. -- Unlike the Southern California weather prognosticators, Tiger Woods was on target all week at the Buick Invitational.
The doom and gloom predictions had Torrey Pines a saturated mess and the PGA Tour event's conclusion in doubt. But overnight rain turned out to be a mere nuisance, and although Woods did not stroll as much as slosh around the course Sunday, it was an easy victory, nonetheless.
An eight-shot lead at the start of the final round quickly turned into 11 before he settled for a final margin of eight, a result that appeared inevitable as early as Friday. The weekend left no suspense -- only worry about whether the storms that have been in the forecast every day would spoil an otherwise glorious day for Woods.
With a fourth straight victory at the Buick and third in a row on the PGA Tour dating to last year, all the offseason chatter about this having the potential to be a monster year for Woods takes on more validity.
"He's just that much better," said PGA Tour veteran Fred Couples. "It's not surprising. As a player, it's fun to see. I've been out here 25 years, and I've never seen this."
Sure, Torrey is Tiger's turf, a place where he has won six times. But consider that the U.S. Open returns here in June, that he already has won four Masters at Augusta National and that he finished second -- one shot out of a playoff -- 10 years ago at Royal Birkdale, site of this year's British Open.
No wonder Woods said a few weeks ago that the Grand Slam was "easily within reason."
"I think it's the development of my game over the years," Woods said when asked about the Grand Slam talk. "For most of my career, I've won more than four tournaments per year, and all I have to do is win the right four, and I've done those a few times.
"I think if you put it all together, have luck on your side, all the stars will line up, and it certainly is possible. A couple of years ago, I came within four shots of at least being in a playoff -- winning or being in a playoff --
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