Can Tiger Get to 15?

The year was 1978. Jack Nicklaus had gone 10 major championships without a win, the longest winless run at majors in eight years. He was 38 years old and far from the form that saw him win three straight majors. The tournament was the British Open, at famed St. Andrews, and Nicklaus went over in hopes of snagging one or two more major titles before his legacy went with the blowing, Scottish wind.

That week, Nicklaus snagged his 15th major title, taking the Claret Jug by two shots. This week, Tiger Woods has a chance at his 15th, five years before Nicklaus when he pulled off the feat. It might not just be the best chance Woods has this year at winning a major, it might be his best chance ever.

Face the obvious facts about Tiger:

-- He has won at this venue before, back in 2002, when he went into the U.S. Open with two wins. This year, Tiger has two wins and is going into a tournament with more confidence than he's had since knee surgery sidelined him after Torrey Pines in 2008. Also, Woods is a bit of a golf historian, and he knows that the U.S. Open is the only major he has yet to win back-to-back. A victory this week would make him the only golfer ever to win all four majors back-to-back at some point in his career.

-- He is finally hitting the ball like he, and everyone else, wants. Tiger was second in driving accuracy at the Memorial two weeks ago. He was seventh in driving accuracy at Bethpage in '02. A similar ball-striking week like that, and you could damn near give him the trophy now and save everyone the potential wrist injuries.

-- For the first time in forever, Tiger might not be the biggest story heading into a tournament. Sure, people will be talking about his chance to win, but the golf world is focused on Phil Mickelson and his family right now, and he will be the fan favorite at Bethpage this week. A little less pressure will probably suit Tiger just fine.

Maybe the most interesting part about this week if Tiger wins is how quickly the rest of the majors might come. Next year will give Tiger three golf courses in a row that he has dominated in the past. First is Augusta, where Woods has struggled but is always a threat. After that comes Pebble Beach, where he won by 15 shots in 2000, and then the British Open at St. Andrews, which he calls his favorite course in the world, winning both times it has hosted a British as a professional.

A win at Bethpage and Tiger is on a quick path to Jack's record. It will be interesting to see how fast the rest come if he can pull this one out come Sunday.