Dan O'Neill

TULSA, Okla. - One thing about Tiger Woods, you can count on him. And in this Year of Sports Disappointments, there’s something strong to be said for that.

Was it predictable Woods would carry his lead to the house on Sunday at Southern Hills? Is there a lack of drama when Woods puts a muscle-bound vice grip on the lead and never lets loose? Would it be refreshing one time to see a professional golfer show up on Sunday and compete with Woods instead of cower from him?

Yes, yes and yes.

But Woods is a once in a lifetime, maybe once in a history, talent. He pumps his fist, he pummels the competition, he dominates his sport in a way that no other athlete dominates his or hers and he makes bazillions of dollars ... and he never makes headlines for the wrong reasons.

In 2007, that last trait is the most remarkable and most reassuring of all. Woods is predictable in all the right ways. Some of the best-known personalities and athletes in other sports this year have been notorious in all the wrong ways.

In baseball, you have Barry Bonds breaking the career home run record, just as he shattered the single-season mark a few years back. They are supposed to be the most romantic records sport has. But Bonds’ demolition of these hallowed standards have been a Shakespearean tragedy.

Between his abrasive personality and his checkered association with performance-enhancing suspects, Bonds’ slugging achievements are as uncomfortable as they are unparalleled. His story is more sad than sensational.

Then you have Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, reportedly known as “Ookie” by his friend and in the dogfighting community. The allegations surrounding Vick are stomach-turning. He was once the No. 1 selling jersey in the sport, but apparently he has been torturing helpless animals when he’s not torturing defenses. Now there’s an athlete for kids to embrace, eh?

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In fact, the “F” in NFL might as well stand for “felons.” The Cincinnati Bengals have more criminals on their roster than a French penal colony. Few teams in the league are without an offender. Leading the lineup is Tennessee Titans return specialist “Pacman” Jones, who has been suspended for a year because of his conduct off the field. Of course, Pacman has been humbled by his suspension and is doing his best to keep a low profile by getting involved with pro wrestling.

Speaking of wrestling, one of its biggest stars, Chris Benoit, strangled his wife and smothered his 7-year old son before killing himself. Not the kind of human-interest story that goes well with chicken soup.

That’s to say nothing of the DUI-related death of Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock, the NBA referee gambling scandal, or the usual parade of Tour de France cheaters.

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Let’s face it, if you’re looking for inspiring champions, the world of sports is a desolate, barren place in 2007. Put Racquel Welch in a couple of pieces of loin cloth and you’ve got One Million Years B.C.

But in the midst of it all is the striped one, the genetically diverse golfer, the man with the Green Beret father, the Swedish model wife, the brand new baby, the dedication to training, the commitment to excellence, the 13 major championships at age 31.

You know, the one without rap sheet, the wrap record, the clubbing photos, steroid accusations, the ugly baggage.

Yes, it’s predictable, seemingly monotonous at times. Woods with a lead after 54 holes at a major is 13-0. Woods with a lead is like watching your laptop boot up. It goes to the setup, activates the middle-of-the-green software and away you go.

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