Q: There is a segment on The Golf Channel where Ben Crenshaw is saying that Jack Nicklaus won 20 majors and came in second 19 times. Is this true? If so, that's one feat Tiger can't ever duplicate, right?
— Jerry Merchant, Booneville, Ark.

A: Ah, Ben is dating himself on this front, Jerry, because there was a time when the U.S. Amateur was considered a “major” championship. In fact, the only successful Grand Slam on record occurred in 1930 when the legendary Bobby Jones swept the championships that were considered the “majors” back then — the U.S. and British Opens, and the U.S. and British Amateurs. Decades later, the concept of a Grand Slam was changed to the four professional events — those same Opens, plus the Masters and PGA Championships. Still, old school guys will often give “major championship” status to U.S. Amateurs, thus crediting Nicklaus with 20, as he won the national amateur in 1959 and 1960. Well, it’s outdated to do so, but if you want to be fair, Tiger Woods won three U.S. Amateurs, so he would have a total of 16 majors and be closer to the Golden Bear than he presently is. (Nicklaus’ record of professional majors is at 18, threatened by Woods, who is at 13.) As for Nicklaus’ 19 runner-up finishes in the majors, that is impressive and it’s hard to imagine Woods ever reaching that figure (he has four seconds) — although it’s not like he aims to finish second.

Q: Why does Tiger Woods wear white tape on his middle right hand? Is it to assist his swing in some way?
— Hugo, Schwaebisch Hall, Germany

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A: Hugo, Woods has stated that in his younger years he would get calluses and the tape eased the discomfort. It’s just something that he has continued to do.

Q: What is there to watch on the LPGA this season? Will Annika come back to knock off Lorena Ochoa?
— Pat Lambird, Newark, N.J.

A: You’d have to say that LPGA Tour officials couldn’t have scripted a better start to the season, because with the clear No. 1, Ochoa, sitting things out, arguably the two most intriguing challengers to her crown both won in Hawaii: Sorenstam in the SBS Open, Paula Creamer in the Fields Open. At 37, Sorenstam is determined to show that her winless ’07 campaign was an aberration, that she still has what it takes to win a handful of times. At 21, Creamer is on a mission to prove that her two-win ’07 campaign was a sign of even greater things to come. Can either player surpass Ochoa and move to No. 1? My guess is no, that Ochoa (who ended February with a 7.88 lead over No. 2, Sorenstam) will win enough times to keep that top spot, but when you throw in hard-hitting Suzann Pettersen, reigning U.S. Women’s Open champ Cristie Kerr, proven major champs Se Ri Pak and Karrie Webb, the precocious Morgan Pressel, a long line of talented Korean players, and rising American star Brittany Lincicome, then it would be easy to suggest that the LPGA Tour has never been stronger, younger, and more competitive.

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