The I of the Tiger      

   Jack Nicklaus, all-time leader in professional golf's 
major tournament victories, predicted the young guy would far surpass his total when the last putt was in the hole. 

   Tiger Woods quickly established himself on the prowl, that is, the tour. He followed his ridiculous runaway at the Masters with 13 more majors before stopping cold, four majors short of Jack.

   He legally took on his nickname, Tiger. His brand. 

   By 2009 he could afford mansions, yachts and private jets. He had a beautiful wife and two children. He was close friends with at least one of his fellow golfers. Tiger drew new fans - and cash - to PGA events, fans who roared at every great shot, which were many. 

   Then one night his wife took a seven iron to his car. Oops. 

   These are not my words: Political columnist Daniel Ruth writes that Tiger was a serial adulterer. His escapades were consensual. The women weren't criticized, that we know of. No. Tiger took the rap, and he never blamed anyone but himself.  

   Ruth writes, "He was simply a really lousy husband." His divorce settlement may have cost around $100 million. 

   Then came knee and back injuries, the loss of endorsements, and a DUI arrest. Not long ago, after another back surgery, Woods couldn't walk, stand or sit. 

   Ruth notes that we onlookers feel better when important people fall. Woods seemed to consider himself pretty important. And he was. A sports writer said, "Tiger doesn't play golf; he is golf." 

   But we also forgive, and admire a comeback. Tiger, at 42, has been climbing the rankings again. We've noticed his polite, measured comments during interviews. The I in Tiger is more like an i. 

   Two weeks ago, Woods broke through for the first time in five years. It wasn't a major tournament, but it was his 80th win, and his fans roared. 

      Jimmy