COLUMN: Golf: Woods uses mind to beat opponents

As you know, Tiger Woods is hands-down the most watched and most admired professional athlete in action today.

At the tender age of 25, he is already compared to the likes of Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan. All three men are extremely talented, dedicated, hardworking and victorious.

But honestly, what real edge have they had over their competition? Is Woods blessed with a God-given talent to win tournaments that nobody in the world has? I don't think so.

Woods has admitted he has won tournaments "without his A-game." Without his "A-game?" It's a scary thought.

Woods has the athletic ability to hit extraordinary shots, which obviously helps. But his true power over everyone else is his ability to beat his opponents down with sheer intimidation.

Ever notice how many times he has run away with tournaments? Does the 2000 U.S. Open ring a bell, or how bout the 1997 Masters or maybe recently, the 2001 Memorial?

Why on tournament Sundays does Woods shoot in the 60s and most guys struggle to break par? Perhaps he is the greatest ever, but not because of what he can do, but what he causes everyone else to do -- choke.

Arnold Palmer won with a burning desire and his charismatic personality; Jack Nicklaus won with his razor concentration; now Woods takes on all challenges with charm, grace and a killer instinct on the course.

What once was a famous uppercut has been replaced with a piercing finger pointed directly into the hole as if the golf ball is punished and commanded to go in the hole. Yikes.

Woods is more exciting when he hits poor shots because you know almost for certain a remarkable recovery shot is on the way. He shows no fear, only revenge.

Other PGA Tour players have already put Woods outside of their limit of ability when, in fact, it may not be true. He just knows how to win, and he does it well.

The moral of this story is that golf is more than a physical competition. So much of winning has to do with being able to psyche out your competition and remaining positive when bad shots happen, a la Woods.

The best way to do this is to follow Woods' lead -- go in winning, know you're going to win and come out winning, and if you don't win, well, he doesn't worry too much about that one, so you're on your own there.

Clay Meininger is the director of golf at The Revere at Anthem. He can be reached at 259-4653.