What is it with Tiger Woods? Has he sold his soul to the devil? Is he human? Or is he a visitor from outer space? Until we have evidence to the contrary, we must give him the benefit of the doubt and concede that he is the best human golfer who ever lived.

Having embarrassed his peers on the PGA tour by 8 strokes the previous weekend, he gave Europe’s best a 4 shot start in Dubai, but still came through to win, despite having to use his `B´ game for two-and-a-half rounds. Even when playing the last 7 holes in 5 under par, his birdies on the final two holes seemed to be contrived through sheer will-power, rather than ability, as he holed out improbable putts to secure his win by one shot over the German, Martin Kaymer, who had to rely purely on talent to finish birdie, birdie, eagle.

Woods has now won seven of his last eight tournaments, finishing second in the other. Now only five behind Nicklaus’ record of eighteen major victories, he could well surpass this before the end of 2009. Bookmakers are laying the lowest odds ever on Woods winning the grand slam of all four majors this year, and who’s to stop him? Being British, I have always rooted for the underdog, a category into which even Els falls when confronted by Tiger Woods. But we all have to respect and admire Woods, unless of course, it turns out that he has been sent from outer space by the devil himself.