Is 2009 Tiger Woods Best Year Ever?

Tiger Woods surprising defeat at the hands of Y.E. Yang last Sunday has caused me to once again reflect on the career of this great golfer. I have been a keen watcher of Tiger since his 1997 Masters victory. I can't say I've watched every tournament he's played, but I've come close. 

There is no doubt that 2009 will not be Tiger's best statistical year. That remains 2000, when he won three majors and nine total tournaments. His second best is probably 2006, when he won two majors and eight total tournaments. 

Superficially, this year looks weak by comparison. So far he only has five wins and no majors. And since he has set major wins as his own personal measurement of achievement, I doubt he considers 2009 a very successful campaign. 

But I beg to differ. I have never been more impressed with Tiger Woods than I have been this season. Why? I can't believe everyone has forgotten that a year ago, he underwent constructive anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery on his left knee. 

Ernie Els had the same operation in 2005. In the three years before the surgery, Els won eight tournaments, including one major and one WGC event. In the three years since returning to competition, he has won only once, the Honda Classic last year. 

Yet in less than a full season since coming back, Tiger has already won five tournaments, including a WGC event—a semi-major.

How many times has Phil Mickelson won five tournaments in a year? Never. His biggest season win total is four. Fred Couples and Greg Norman? Never won more than three in one year. Tiger may still end up with six or seven in 2009. 

True, Y.E. Yang broke what was perhaps Tiger's biggest record: 14-for-14 when leading a major after 54 holes. Why did it happen? People seem to be forgetting that Tiger was trying to win his third consecutive tournament. Who was the last person (besides Tiger) to accomplish that? Probably Hogan. 

Tiger just ran out of gas at the PGA last Sunday. Let's not forget that Tiger used to be an obsessive jogger. His long runs in the hot, humid Orlando summer afternoons were his primary way of staying in shape the last 10 years. That's how he ruined his knee, not by golfing.

I'm not sure how he's doing his cardio these days, but with the rehab there's no way he's been able to keep himself in the same physical condition he's been in for the last 10 years. 

As far as I'm concerned, to come back from ACL reconstruction and win five tournaments, while contending in three of the four majors on Sunday is the most impressive performance of Tiger Woods storied career.