First, let me say that Tiger Woods is my favorite golfer, perhaps not of all time but my current favorite golfer. I only watch golf on TV when Tiger is playing at least until this week at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitations golf tournament on the South Course of the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Until this week I couldn't understand why anyone would watch a PGA event in which he wasn't a competitor. This week was Tiger's first, and maybe not last, example of mediocrity.

Of all the records Tiger has set, I can't think of another that reflects his domination of the sport; going into this week's tournament Tiger had won it 7 of the last 10 times he played. Sure I can. He has been the world's number 1 golfer for 270 consecutive weeks, that's nearly 6 years. During his 15 year professional career he has been the number 1 golfer for 611 weeks, that's nearly 12 years! He is challenging Jack Nicklaus record of 18 major wins (Tiger 14), Sam Snead's 82 career PGA wins (Tiger 71) and his Tiger Woods/Nike brand is renowned world wide. Only a year ago no one thought his career was in jeopardy, but after watching this past weekend I'm not so sure it isn't the end of at least his dominance and maybe his career.

Because I love the game so much, watching Tiger on Thursday and Friday was grueling for me as it must have been for all of his supporters. I couldn't watch on the week-end; it would have only ruined my taste for golf even more. I did open the PGAtour.com leaderboard occasionally hoping to see at least a glimpse of the old Tiger. It never happened. He finished in a tie for 78th place; only one player finished below him.

The game of golf is so much bigger than Tiger but at this time he is what has been making our game great. Others before him, Jones, Hagen, Hogen, Snead, Palmer and Nicklaus were the greats of their times. They were to golf what Tiger is now, not more but not less either. I had the privilege to watch Arnold Palmer up close and personal during his heyday in the early 60's. Not only was Arnold a great golfer but he was one of us. He was personal, outgoing, kind, gentle and humble. I never heard anyone say anything negative about "The King".

On my blog I have a survey which asks "TIGER HAS 14 MAJOR WINS. WILL TIGER: 1. Break Jack's Record of 18 Majors, 2. Equal Jack's Record of 18 Majors, 3. Win 3 More Majors, 4. Win 2 More Majors, 5. Win 1 More Major or 6. Become Just Another PGA Pro. After watching this week I could have asked the question 7. quit? I doubt it but I don't believe Tiger will accept mediocrity if that is his future in golf. I believe and hope that he again takes some time off, maybe even a year or more and come back when he is really ready to be the old Tiger if that's possible.

Loren...