12 DOWN 6 to go
Woods captures third PGA title

Those who thought he

peaked in 2000 are hanging

their heads in awe. After

doubts arose early in the year

about his recent swing changes,

Tiger Woods was again the target

of fans and media alike, using the

doubt as fuel to cap off an emotional summer that began with the death of his father and ended with his 51st PGA victory and 12 professional major. Woods entered the final round of the PGA Championship at Medinah County Club tied with Luke Donald, but pulled away with a birdie on the first hole.

And he never looked back.

Contenders playing in front of Woods included

former Masters

champion Mike Weir, Tim Herron, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy and Sergio Garcia. All saw the Tiger Woods who dominated the world of golf for two solid years, the Woods who began his tear in 1999, coincidentally, at Medinah.

During that streak, he won seven of 11 majors and 22 PGA titles, leaving

everyone

to ask, "is there anyone who can challenge Tiger?"

Questions are beginning to arise again, especially with the poor play of the rest of golf's current stars.

Despite Phil Mickelson's two wins this year, his infamous collapse at the U.S. Open was followed by two dismal finishes at the British Open and the PGA.

Vijay Singh failed to qualify for the PGA.

Ernie Els, who has spent the season recovering from knee surgery, has gone winless on the PGA Tour in 2006.

Jim Furyk has emerged victorious, but is arguably yards behind Tiger.

To boot, Tiger has never let the lead slip away in the final round of a major, an attribute Chris Dimarco says Woods shares with his childhood hero, Jack Nicklaus.

"He's the only other guy I've ever seen who looks more comfortable leading on the back nine of a major than playing the first hole of a tournament," Dimarco said. "He just puts the hammer down."

Nicklaus had little to say about the PGA and Tiger, as he was watching his grandchildren play golf.

"From what I saw, he certainly was in total command," Nicklaus said.

Woods' dominance has no doubt earned him the nod for PGA player of the year. And, he's not finished yet.

Tiger is set to defend at the World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational at Ackron this week, a tournament he's won four times.

The finale of the PGA also marks the conclusion of the Ryder Cup selection period. Points for the year's final major counted double towards the current standing, meaning players still vying for their final shot one last chance to earn their way onto Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman's team.

Despite their best efforts, veterans Davis Love III, Steve Stricker, Tim Herron and Stuart Cink couldn't crack the top-ten, leaving spots open for Vaughn Taylor, Zach Johnson, Brett Wetterich and J.J. Henry.

The other six, who had already clenched their spots, were Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, David Toms, Chad Campbell and Chris Dimarco.