Woods is seeking his fourth consecutive major championship, for a debatable Grand Slam. Under the most intense scrutiny a golfer can imagine, Tiger Woods arrived at the Augusta National Golf Club on Monday to face his destiny. The pressure on the No. 1 player in the world is immense.
Pressure affects golfers in many different ways.
Pressure drove Bobby Jones away from competitive golf at age 28, after he won the Grand Slam in 1930. He was weary of having to live up to others' expectations. Pressure never suited Byron Nelson, who retired to a tamer lifestyle on his Texas ranch a year after his greatest season when he won 11 consecutive tournaments and 18 overall in 1945. Pressure seems to energize Woods. Woods makes the critical shot when he absolutely, positively has to make the shot.