Bryant the latest victim in Woods' streak

2008-03-16

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By Andrew Both PA SportsTicker Golf Writer

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) - Bart Bryant questions whether theaverage golf fan truly understands the magnitude of Tiger Woods''dominance.

Woods on Sunday extended his six-month winning streak to sixofficial tournaments - five on the PGA Tour and one on theEuropean Tour - when he dramatically birdied the final hole fora one-stroke victory over Bryant at the Arnold PalmerInvitational at Bay Hill.

In other individual sports such as tennis and track and field,such winning streaks are not rare, but in golf it''s anotherstory.

Only two players other than Woods have won at least sixconsecutive times on the PGA Tour - Byron Nelson (11) and BenHogan (six).

"Out here on tour, we understand what he''s doing, the magnitudeof it," Bryant said. "I think the golf public in general doesn''tget it, to be honest with you, because what he''s doing rightnow, you can''t even hardly fathom it.

"It''s just incredible. What he did today is another piece ofevidence of this weird zone he''s in, and he''s been in like hiswhole life. I don''t know how to explain it."

Bryant, who was playing ahead of Woods, had a feeling he wouldcome up just short. After parring the last to remain tied forthe lead, he could only wait and watch the world No. 1 roll in a24-footer for victory.

"It didn''t surprise me one bit," said Bryant. "What are yougoing to do? It was in his hands and he obviously hit a greatputt.

"I was pretty hopeless sitting there in the trailer, but I didwhat I thought I was supposed to do, which was put the pressureback on Tiger to make the play. He has a habit of making it whenhe needs to."

Still, it was a stellar performance by the 45-year-old latebloomer, who two years ago emerged from journeyman status to wintwice and finish ninth on the money list.

"I''m satisfied with 67, other than I came up short," he said. "Ihaven''t had a whole lot of opportunity (to win tournaments).I''m lucky to get up there and compete with him every now andthen.

"When I''m competing with Tiger, I''m really playing well, prettymuch on my game like I was today."

Bryant observed that Woods is held to a different standard thaneveryone else.

"He shoots 70 the first day, even-par on a tough course and hegets ridiculed," Bryant said. "People are like ''Boy, what''swrong with Tiger''? But there he is, getting off to not a greatstart and he comes back and wins."