Tiger Woods: AT&T National Nothing More Than a Warmup for 2012 British Open

Only majors matter.

Jack Nicklaus isn’t considered the greatest golfer of all-time because he won the most PGA tournaments—well, because he didn’t win the most. Sam Snead did, but no one in his right mind is calling Snead a better golfer than Nicklaus.

Tiger Woods shouldn’t be eying Snead’s record for that reason. He must maintain his focus on winning the 2012 British Open, because the AT&T National is nothing but a warm-up.

Doug Ferguson of the Associated Press reported that Tiger talked about Snead’s mark going into the tournament. He said (via Montreal Gazette):

"

I was aware of it, but at the time, everyone focused on Jack’s record. But as I delved more into the game and was probably in high school, I started understanding Sam’s contributions to the game of golf and his consistency. The fact that he won at age 52, when he won Greensboro, and to do it for that long is amazing. Truly amazing.

"

In golf, in any sport, what's the significance of winning a record? If I hold my breath for an hour and shatter the world record, who honestly cares? If there isn’t any prestige behind a record, it holds no significance.

While there’s prestige behind Snead’s record, it pales in comparison to Jack’s. Only the golfer that wins the most majors is considered the greatest ever. And at this point in Tiger’s career, being considered the greatest ever is all that should matter to him.

Winning majors is the only achievement that will make his legacy more legendary.

Woods has much to gain in the AT&T National. He should use the event to boost his confidence and improve his putting. It’ll be great practice for closing a tournament strong. But winning at the Congressional Country Club does nothing for Tiger’s legacy but build momentum for the British Open.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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