Golf News for Monday, August 13, 2007 | Daily Golf Blogs

Baldwin: Tiger's 63 at PGA still not one of the greatest rounds ever

Tiger Woods essentially won his 13th major off one round - his 63 on Friday in vacation forsaken Tulsa. It's the kind of round that Ernie Els and the incredible shrinking crybaby Sergio Garcia could never throw at Tiger in a tournament that matters.

Which still does not make it one of the greatest rounds ever.

From the moment Tiger shot that 63, it was destined to be forever overhyped. Because he's Tiger, the best golfer of all time, better than Jack Nicklaus already. What's already being forgotten - and surely will go completely unmentioned within two years - is that Tiger's 63 came on a par 70.

A 63 is always great, but it's not always a 63. There is a huge difference between a 63 on a par 72 in a major and a 63 on a par 70 in a major. No one's saying it deserves a Roger Maris asterisk, but there needs to be much more acknowledgement of this reality.

I hate to say this - because Johnny Miller will surely mention it himself during every tournament he ever broadcasts from here to eternity - but Tiger's 63 is not worthy of being in the same breath as Johnny Miller's 63 at Oakmont. Sure Miller's 63 was on a par 71 itself, but that's still better than a par 70, much better considering it also came in the final round.

When Tiger's putt on the final hole of that 63 did everything but drop, cosmic golf justice was served. That round - as impressive as it was - didn't deserve to go down as the greatest. In time, Woods himself will realize this.

That 63 isn't going to be the round we remember forever from Tiger Woods. And that's how it should be.

Remember to check out the front of WorldGolf.com later today, for the latest in Tim McDonald's live, exclusive reporting from the PGA Championship.


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