If you didn’t pay close attention to Tiger Woods’ ruthless blitz of a comeback in the final round of the Dubai Classic - five birdies in his last seven holes to leave Ernie Els a quivering wet mess - you missed the bell tolling on anyone else’s chances in 2008.

It’s clear now that Tiger isn’t focused on winning the Grand Slam - a prediction that everyone and their nanny have made for him, including WorldGolf.com’s own Brandon Tucker and Golf Channel’s Nick Faldo (who no doubt was funny while doing it). Sorry guys these calls are old news. I predicted Tiger would win the Slam two full years ago (I just forgot to put in the part about it happening in 08 rather than 06).

Regardless, the Grand Slam’s old news. Tiger’s even talking about it openly, which reveals that’s not what he’s focusing on without a doubt. If Tiger was all about the Slam, he wouldn’t be telling reporters. He never let us in on his true thoughts.

No, that’s the backup goal. Tiger’s real quest is winning every single tournament he enters this year. That’s right, going undefeated. And he finishes a lot better than sports’ great cheat, Bill Belichick.

Just look at how Tiger’s playing. And more importantly, how he’s setting up his schedule.

Woods is cutting back on the number of tournaments he plays even more (hard to believe that’s possible, but it is), taking even more care in selecting ones where his vulnerability is at minimum (not that it’s ever very high anyways). He’s likely going to skip Riveria after skipping Pebble Beach this week, which gives him two full weeks to prep for what could actually be his toughest test of the season: the Accenture World Match Play Championship in Tucson with its one-on-one format that often produces upsets.

He’s building a schedule to give him a chance to go undefeated. Now, Tiger would never say this himself. It’s too disrespectful to the rest of the Tour. And he’s not Ian Poulter.

Now, this isn’t revolutionary thinking on my part. WorldGolf.com’s William K. Wolfrum, or as I will hearby call him The New Kreskin, broached the subject of Woods going undefeated in 08 more than a month ago. Sure, I’d be the first to admit that K. often makes as much sense as Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan’s dad put together - especially if he’s on one of his Sean Penn-mimicked rants. But in this case, K. saw what older staid golf writers will start talking about after The Masters when Tiger’s will be around 6-0.

Yes, K. tried to play it off as something of a joke, but it was more insightful than he wants you to know. (It’s certainly better than that lame Patriots whammy that Wolfrum’s now apparently determined to turn into a six-part series). Tiger Woods is setting out to go undefeated. And you heard it from K. first.

Now, if you don’t know who the Old Kreskin is, click here. And just remember K. when Finchem’s second FedEx Cup turns into a bunch of stories on whether Woods can win three more times to finish 15-0 and cap the greatest season in the history of all sports.

Permalink 2 comments