Tiger knows who will be No. 1
Tiger Woods has been a celebrity since he was 2. He has experienced unprecedented success as a golfer. He has become the richest athlete in history.
With all Woods has already accomplished, one thing on the horizon this year has him excited enough to declare that it "is probably going to be the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."
Tiger and Elin Woods are expecting their first child this summer. Woods' world will never be the same, even if the pace of his success never wanes.
"It is obviously going to change our lives dramatically," Woods said, "but it is also a change we are looking forward to."
This is a far cry from the emotional state Woods was in a year ago when he came to Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters Tournament. Woods' perspective ranged from one extreme to the other from Christmas 2005 to Christmas 2006.
In 2006, Woods was spending time with his father and preparing mentally for Earl Woods' approaching death. Earl succumbed to cancer in May.
At the start of 2007, Woods was looking at sonograms and celebrating the pending birth of his and his wife's first child. The baby is due in July.
Under both emotional backdrops, Woods won his season debut at Torrey Pines and added a second victory of the season at Doral before heading to Augusta.
"This year I'm looking forward to the year and what's going to transpire. Last year I was not looking forward to the year that was going to transpire," Woods said before starting his season in January. "Two totally different mindsets. One is just praying and hoping, and the other is just pure excitement and enjoyment, so it's two totally opposite ends."
Woods says he still deals with his father's passing every time he tees it up.
"Everything I learned in golf - every basic little fundamental thing - I learned from Dad," Woods said.
Soon it will be his turn. Since the announcement that his wife is expecting, the water-cooler conversation has heated up about everything from what Woods might name a boy or girl to whether the birth would interfere with his quest to win more majors. That Woods has remained coy about the due date has fueled speculation about whether he would be forced to skip the U.S. Open at Oakmont or trying to win a third straight British Open at Carnoustie.
One television producer even approached Woods with a request to broadcast the birth live, which the Woodses declined.
But Woods has made it clear that golf will not interrupt his being present for the birth.
"If she's going to have it during the week of the Open, I just don't go," Woods said. "That's the most important thing, not a golf tournament."
That is the first sign Woods has shown that his priorities will change as a new parent. The singular focus he's had on being the dominant golfer on the planet keeps getting tested with new obligations. He won two majors his first year off the singles market and won two more despite dealing with the grief of his father's death.
Now he'll have a chance to pick off two more before and after the expected birth this year.
"My life and the way I live it will totally change," Woods told CNN International last month, adding that he "probably will play less."
"As far as when I will play and my practice times and bottle feedings and diaper changing, all these different things will be interesting," Woods said. "I'm used to certain practice schedules, workout schedules, obligations to my sponsors and hanging out with my friends - all that changes. You still have other responsibilities, but your ultimate responsibility is to your child and your wife."
His tour peers aren't expecting a drop-off in proficiency.
"I've been trying to get him to adopt me for the last five years, but he wouldn't do it," said John Daly. "It will change his life. It definitely does. Anybody who's had kids, it does change your life. Your responsibilities get a little more focused on the children than it does on your game sometimes. But Tiger, the way he manages himself and the good people around him, it's not going to affect his game, I promise you."
While obviously blessed with more financial means than his parents ever had, Woods isn't planning on delegating any of the hands-on parenting he credits for making him the person he is today. He believes he's already wired for any system-shock ahead.
"I have one advantage: I don't sleep much," he said of the life disruptions a newborn brings.
Juggling his family with his golf is something Woods expects to handle with the same success he has everything else that's been thrown at him along the way.
"As far as understanding what to do, hopefully when that day comes, I'll be able to perform at a high level," he said. "But also more importantly, you know, be a great father."
Woods has certainly been chasing the right role model for blending golf supremacy with parenting. The competitive bar has always been set for Woods by Jack Nicklaus, who was already married and a father before winning the first of his record 18 major championships, including six Masters.
Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara, have five children and 19 grandchildren.
Woods has a chance to raise his major collection to 14 wins and two Tiger Slams before he officially becomes a dad himself.
Will he be driven to match Nicklaus' major totals as a parent?
"Well, I've got to start with one, don't I?" Woods said. "You know, it'll be interesting to see what happens with it all."
Nicklaus holds a few other titles that Woods has yet to reach. The Golden Bear was named Father of the Year by the Minority Golf Association in 1999. The Nicklauses were named Family of the Year by the National Golf Foundation in 1985 and the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association in 1992.
Nicklaus and his son, Gary, also won the annual Father/Son Challenge in 1999, though the record for most Father/Son titles collected is five by Raymond Floyd with his sons Raymond Jr. (three times) and Robert (twice).
Woods won't be eligible to start chasing any of those standards until July. First, he has to try to live up to the parenting standards set by his father. He doesn't care whether his children follow in his career path or blaze their own trails in life. The lessons he hopes to pass along are the same as his father's.
"He always taught me to care and share," Woods said. "Hopefully we can raise a child who is just a fantastic citizen."
