Tiger Woods voted Athlete of the Decade

[Auggie]

A.P., 12-16-09

Even after a shocking sex scandal that tarnished Tiger Woods, it was tough to ignore what he achieved on the golf course.

He won 64 times around the world, including 12 majors, and hoisted a trophy on every continent golf is played. He lost only one time with the lead going into the final round. His 56 PGA Tour victories in one incomparable decade were more than anyone except four of golf's greatest players won in their careers.

Woods was selected Wednesday as the Athlete of the Decade by members of The Associated Press in a vote that was more about 10 years of performance than nearly three weeks of salacious headlines.

<snip>

Woods received 56 of the 142 votes cast by AP member editors since last month. More than half of the ballots were returned after the Nov. 27 car accident outside his Florida home that set off sensational tales of infidelity. Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor who won the Tour de France six times this decade, finished second with 33 votes. He was followed by Roger Federer, who won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other man, with 25 votes. Record-setting Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps came in fourth with 13 votes, followed by New England quarterback Tom Brady (6) and sprinter Usain Bolt (4). Five other athletes received one vote apiece.

MORE: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ikX-J9szR7SvQKFtkhHIwP26dlDAD9CKFO5O0

On edit (from the article): Woods finished the decade with $81,547,410 in earnings from his PGA Tour events

[Condem]

1. No problem with this, at all.

He's had one helluva run. Lance finishing second is an achievement. Drugs and all.

[flvegan]

2. No doubt. Anyone that can juggle that many women...

[Condem]

3. Just put it in the hole, flvegan.

The name of the game.

[joeybee12]

4. Hmmm...12 majors to Roger's 15....bias here...

...because Tiger is an American. I think i would have put both Roger and Lance above Tiger, although I can't say this is not deserved.

[Condem]

5. No one watches tennis anymore, joey.

That's why.

[Auggie]

6. Woods made golf cool again. That took a miracle worker.

[joeybee12]

8. Not in this country, maybe...but elsewhere...

...it's a dying sport here.

[KamaAina]

7. In which sport?

:evilgrin:

[Onceuponalife]

9. Is this award to measure success or just pure athleticism?

because if it is the latter then Michael phelps has him beat by a mile. So do a bunch of other guys or gals I could name. This is ridiculous.

[Forkboy]

10. No problems with this. If we're only judging sports he deserves it.

[Iggo]

11. The only problem I have with it is the winner is a golfer.

Shoulda been someone who actually broke a sweat.

[SpiralHawk]

12. Yah -- How come a bowler never gets this?

[bigwillq]

13. Good choice (nt)

[litlady]

14. Player/playa of the decade. nt

[Captain Hilts]

15. Okay, I laughed. nt