Jim McCabe

You think Oakmont was tough with its thick rough, 300-yard par-3 eighth, glass-like putting surfaces, and blind shots? That’s nothing when compared to the demands that have been put upon Tiger Woods.

Now that’s tough stuff.

Now that he came up second to Angel Cabrera at Oakmont Country Club, there will be swirling rumors of his demise. To begin with, his 2007 season output will sit at a measly three wins in 10 starts, an unheard-of .300 batting average in golf, but people will ignore that.

Instead, it will be emphasized that Woods has now gone five straight U.S. Opens without a victory. It will be quickly pointed out that he has never gone that many without a victory in the Masters or the British Open and that it matches the five-year drought he had in the PGA Championship. Critics might offer a reminder that of the four majors, his smallest output of wins (two) comes at the U.S. Open.

The conclusion will be made that the U.S. Open is Woods’ toughest challenge and because of that, there could be a roadblock toward his bid to surpass Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 professional majors.

To all of which should be said: Slow down, take a deep breath and relax. Comfort yourself and understand all is still well in his own galaxy. There are, in fact, a number of aspects that, when considered rationally, offer proof that at the still-tender-age of 31, his major outlook is as promising as ever.

Take the upcoming U.S. Open sites, for instance.

In 2008, the show will be rolled out upon the scenic fairways of Torrey Pines’ South Course just north of San Diego and if you don’t think that fact will bring a smile to Woods’ face, then you probably think the Niblick is going to make a comeback.

All Woods has done at that venue is win five of the 10 Buick Invitationals in which he’s taken part as a pro. He’s riding a three-year winning streak there and before you drag into the equation the fact that the easier North Course won’t be part of the picture in 2008, understand this — Woods has always beat up on the competition by playing the South Course exquisitely.

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How about in 1999 when he barely made the cut? He went 62-65 over the weekend on the South Course to rally and win. He was 68-68 for the weekend when he won in 2003, and since turning pro in 1997, Woods has played 20 weekend rounds upon the South Course and broken 70 a whopping 16 times, with his worst score a 72. That’s right, he’s never been over par on the weekend at the South Course, his total being a robust 74-under.

Oh, I know the U.S. Golf Association can make it longer and frame it with higher rough, but they can’t remove the good feel every time Woods walks upon that sod. He loves the layout and will be at a distinct advantage come June of 2008.

Push forward to 2009 and the U.S. Open will stop at Bethpage Black out on Long Island. The championship has been held there just one other time, in 2002, and guess who won? That’s right, Woods. It was a mystery to all that year, but Woods mastered the twists and turns of that golf course and you can sense the satisfaction he feels when he thinks of the visit there two years from now.

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That brings us to 2010 and the majesty of Pebble Beach. It’s another favorite of Woods, who authored the most dominating major championship script in history right there at the edge of the Pacific Ocean in 2000. Who can ever forget the 15-shot victory, the laser-like iron shots, and the spectacular putting performance? Throw in the fact that Woods was victorious there in one of his six starts in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am — the epic wipeout of a seven-shot deficit in seven holes — and you should have a good reason to suspect he cherishes the idea of another U.S. Open on the Monterey Peninsula.

Three venues, three distinct advantages for Woods.

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