The Dallas Morning News Bill Nichols Column: For Tiger, It's No Sweat at PGA

Aug 12, 02:06 AM

Current Headlines: By Bill Nichols, The Dallas Morning News

Aug. 12--TULSA, Okla. -- After going 18 holes with Tiger Woods on Saturday, Scott Verplank expressed optimism that somebody will beat Woods in today's final round of the PGA Championship.

"I'm assuming that as he gets older, his skills will diminish," Verplank said, smiling. "Of course, he may quit by then."

History tells us that the PGA Championship is over. So do Woods' pursuers, which is even more telling.

Although 18 holes remain at Southern Hills, Woods takes a three-shot lead into today.

His record when holding the 54-hole lead in a major is 12-0. His overall record entering the final round with more than a one-shot lead is 23-0.

Verplank, a veteran, has earned more than $20 million on steady play. He built his career on accuracy, hitting fairways and greens, and avoiding mistakes.

With Oklahoma State fans behind him on Saturday, Verplank shot 74. Asked afterward to assess the field's chance of catching Woods, Verplank thought for a second.

"I'd say not very good, if you want to know the truth," he said. "If you're trying to win a tournament like this, he's the wrong guy to let get out ahead of you."

After opening with a 1-over 71, Woods tied the lowest round in major history with a 63. He reached 7-under 203 with Saturday's 69, which seemed scripted.

It's as if Woods knew the number needed to win after Thursday's round, and he's been marching toward that ever since. After Friday's fireworks, Woods played conservatively. No one is better at managing a golf course, and Woods is doing it methodically.

"My goal was to shoot under par and increase my lead, and I was able to do that," Woods said. "So, positive day all around. Really kept myself out of trouble most of the day. Just try to keep hitting fairways and put the ball in the center of the greens and lag-putt well."

Stephen Ames, the closest, has the added disadvantage of having crossed Woods. When Woods was going through major swing changes with McKinney's Hank Haney, Ames said before the WGC Match Play that he could win because Woods didn't know where his ball was going.

After throttling Ames, 9 and 8, Woods was asked if Ames' comment motivated him. "Nine and eight," he said.

Ames has said his quotes were taken out of context. Asked about it Saturday, he said, "I don't know if I want to go there because you might take it out of context again. So we'll leave it at that."

Having Ames in the final pairing was probably the worst thing that could have happened to the rest of contenders. Woods doesn't forget such things.

"I don't know about the whole out-of-context thing," Woods said. "All I know is I read the quote and I knew if I went out there and played well that I felt pretty good about it."

Who can stop Woods from claiming his 13th major at age 31?

Only two of the 12 players closest to Woods have won a major -- Ernie Els, who is fifth, and Geoff Ogilvy, who is tied for 13th.

Els provided the most telling insight when asked if the tournament was over because of Woods' lead.

"I can't say that because I'm competing," Els said. "The statistics will tell you, yes, it is over. But as a competitor, I can't sit there and tell you it's over."

THE CLOSER

Tiger Woods' largest third-round leads in majors:

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