Of course there are counter points to all your points which I will gladly provide.
Is it more of an accomplishment to have a winning streak over a long period of time or catch a hot streak over a short period of time?
Nelson's streak was accomplished during the World War II era against player depleted fields.
Additionally his victories came against considerably less overall quality of players.
The streak then and now is PGA tournaments. That does not include foreign tournaments, silly season golf, exhibitions or any non PGA tour event. That seems pretty clear.
Just as Tiger downplays the streak so did Nelson downplay his streak using some of the same points listed above.
Nelson's streak is justifiably and historically impressive.
Tiger’s streak in modern golf is second to none.
I think it is no longer a question of, "maybe Woods is the best player of all time". He is clearly the best player of all time - even if he never plays another round. Why can't everyone go ahead and admit that?
Chris

Nelson would be the first to agree with Chris; the field today is much stronger and thus Woods' accomplishments are even more impressive.
Comparisons between the ages, however, are very difficult if not impossible. Inevitably we like to make them, but so much is different about the game, the courses, the players, the equipment, etc. Woods wants to achieve 19 grand slam events to eclipse Nicklaus. The debate will rage even then when that is complete.
As far as who is the best player of all time? No contest: Woods

You think so Larry? Idiot. Byron Nelson
defended his streak by pointing out that
Hogan was in more than half the tournaments
he won that year.

The fields today are child's play. Every
Saturday leader can't shoot even par on Sunday. Don't think for a minute
Woods isn't aware of this.

Byron Nelson missed the cut during America's greatest moment....World War II. Who cares how many tournaments he won while others were dying or serving overseas?

Naming Woods as the best player of all-time is a bit premature.

When he reaches Nicklaus' mark in the majors, then we can have that discussion.

It's typical, though, in that many people have generational blinders on, and lack historical insight.

Only a retard would think WW2 was
America's greatest moment. America
lost WW2.....just look around you. The
communists won.

Tim McDonald wrote: "Naming Woods as the best player of all-time is a bit premature."

===========

Elliot Kalb, author of, "Who's Better, Who's Best In Golf," would disagree, Tim. Listen here:
http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/travelgolf.this.week/2006/06/25/ron_garl_s_great_wall_of_china_elliott_k

Visitor--Nelson was a hemophilliac who could not serve in the war. He was a great golfer, true gentleman and I'm sure a fine American. I agree that athletic achievements pale in comparison to the sacrfices of our servicemen and women, but let's not take cheap shots at a good man.

Tim--While I agree that many of us have generational blinders on, I usually see the bias coming from past generations. My father is still convinced that 5"11 Bob Cousy would have matched up well against 6"9 Magic Johnson. No amount of statistical data or just plain common sense will change his mind.

Hey Booger, how's Karl Marx these days?

He's dead, but his philosophical
descendants control the US, Canada,
Europe, Australia and New Zealand.