Q: While Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player were the greatest golfers of their time, why is Tiger Woods not yet said to be the greatest to have ever played the game?
— Walt Salmon, Baltimore, Md.

A: I suppose it depends upon whose stories you are reading, Walt, because while there are those who’ll hold fast to the opinion that Nicklaus remains the game’s best thanks to his record 18 wins in the professional major championships, more and more golf writers in recent years have stated unequivocally that what Woods has done in his 11-plus seasons makes him the best.

Personally, I’ve always felt uncomfortable with such definitive statements when you’re discussing players (or teams) from totally different eras. How can we say that we know Woods was better than Byron Nelson? Or that we know Nicklaus was better than Ben Hogan? We can’t, of course.

But there is no shortage of observers who’ve offered opinions in recent years that Woods is the best to have ever played the game. Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t. Who knows? I only know that he’s one incredible player and it’s a pleasure to be able to witness the history he is making. I’m good with that.

Q: Do you think if Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson played in a Tigerless era that their accomplishments would be better recognized? Both have won three majors and over 30 PGA events even with Tiger playing.
— Larry Simon, Scottsdale, Ariz.

A: It’s an astute observation, Larry, because no one in PGA Tour history has achieved a winning percentage quite like Woods, so it stands to reason that this is the toughest era in which to triumph. What Singh (31 wins, 3 majors) and Mickelson (33 wins, 3 majors) have accomplished have sealed their Hall of Fame spots, but they’ll have to be satisfied with the tens of millions of dollars and not the notoriety, thanks to the phenomenon known as Woods. Unfortunate in some regards, but hardly should it be considered unique, because Billy Casper (51 wins, 3 majors), Cary Middlecoff (40 wins, 3 majors), and Jimmy Demaret (31 wins, 3 majors) all played in the shadows of giants and perhaps neither did they receive their proper respect.

Q: How are the pairings for the opening round of a tournament determined?
— Brian Golden, Watchung, N.J.

A: If you’re talking regular PGA Tour events, it’s a tier system in place that is based on victories. Those who’ve won tournaments within the last few years are placed on a sort of “A” list, then come regular PGA Tour members, and a third list are for sponsor’s exemptions, qualifiers, and those with lesser status. Once the names are separated into their respective categories, officials swear they are randomly placed into pairings, but there are times when you have to take that with a wink and a nod. Still, the system assures a Tiger Woods, for instance, that for the first two rounds anyway, he’ll be paired with fellow PGA Tour winners and not a Monday qualifier.

MORE FROM GOLF

Golf Section Front

Choi reels in Shark, takes British lead British Open leaderboard from Royal Birkdale   Opinion: Honeymoon's not over yet for Norman, Evert Colombia’s Villegas shoots 65 at British Open Nicklaus questions hunger of younger players Vote: Who will win the British Open?   Slide show: Images from the British Open   Matty Blake Show: Making friends ... and enemies Richard Johnson aces first round in Milwaukee Christina Kim early leader at State Farm Classic Golf Section Front   Add Golf headlines to your news reader: