Woods in His Fourth Victory in the Season.

In any career, the top is always the loneliest.

Because of expectation placed on him or her is unlike others.

Tiger Woods (age 28, USA) has suffered from rumors of `slump` until he won his fourth victory of the season in the Western Opens on July 7th.

Back then Woods even protested, “How a player with 3 victories in the season cans suffers from slump?”

When there are many other players with no victories at all, he could be right.

But he is Tiger Woods, and the media has high expectation on him and it continues to irritate him. The media claimed Woods is in slump because he didn`t have any more victories for three months since Baby Hill International in March. They also claimed Woods is more interested in the commercial film shoots and charities balls.

However this pressure couldn`t stop Woods from obtaining his victory on 7th in the U.S. PGA Tour-Western Open (Total prize of $4.5 million) held in the Cock Hill golf course (par 72) in Lament, Illinois. It was during the fourth round, with lightning thunder bad weather made the game extend twice in total of three hours, but that didn`t stop Woods.

The man of record, Tiger Woods made the match`s best record of 21under par with 267 strokes and won the match by under 5 strokes, quenching all doubts against him.

A 2nd place in driver shot (303.4 yd), 1st place in putting (26 per round), 1st place for birdie (26 birdies) and etc… Regardless of victory, he record speaks for itself disproving all doubts of his performance.

Now Tiger Woods has became the first player to record the 4th victory in the season and also the first player in history to record more than four victories for five consecutive years. For him this is his 38th victory and he is the first player ever to win more than three victories in the Western Opens.

Meanwhile, with this match under his belt, Woods managed to reach finals in all 106 consecutive matches and his ranks 2nd in this record. The best cutoff record was made by Byrne Nelson (USA) with 113 matches.

In his interview, Woods has shown his displeasure of the media.

“I`ve learn not to loose head by the media`s sensationalism. I`ve tried hard to concentrate on the game and I`ve managed well,” said Woods.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com