Tiger shows why he is a true champ

We have discovered the fountain of youth, and its name is Tiger Woods.

By winning the Masters this weekend by an astonishing 12 shots, Woods has accomplished more than could have ever been expected from any 21-year-old.

Consider that in just eight months as a professional golfer, Woods has won four PGA tournaments, including the Mercedes Championship - a tournament that includes all the PGA Tour winners from the previous season.

Just weeks later, after nearly coming from behind to win at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Tiger flew to Thailand to compete at a tournament in his mother Tida's native country. He won that title by 10 strokes, a feat criticized by many because of the lack of competition in the field.

Then consider that this past weekend he won on one of the toughest golf courses in the world, in the most prestigious tournament in the world, against some of the best players who have ever picked up a golf club.

I wonder what those critics are saying now.

Last year's Masters champion, Nick Faldo, missed the cut in this year's tournament after posting a two-round total 7-over par. Greg Norman, last year's runner-up, also missed the cut, as did Phil Mickelson.

Tournament veterans Tom Kite and Tom Watson, who have probably played the course 100 times, couldn't catch Woods.

The youth and zest for life that Tiger possess enable him to put all of the disractions aside and just play, something we all like to do from time to time.

To top it all off, this gentleman, in the truest sense of the word, is relentless in his pursuit of perfection. I have never in my life seen a player with a 12 stroke lead in the final round of play hang his head when he missed an eagle putt.

Tiger did it twice on Sunday. He also made birdies on both of those holes.

What a wonderful attribute focus can be.

All that is left for the American public then, is to focus on the future of our newest sports hero. Many of Woods' peers believe he could win all four majors in one year. Not just some time in his career, but this year.

What it must be like to be king of the world at age 21.

Scott Bricker covers golf for the Arizona Daily Wildcat.