Vorstellungen » space for the Dolphins. Delmas spent the past five s

KAPALUA, Hawaii - Four years later, the words of Jack Nicklaus resonate even louder. "If Tiger is going to pass my record, this is a big year for him in that regard," Nicklaus said at the start of 2010. Nicklaus was referring to his record 18 majors, and the major championship venues that favoured Woods - Augusta National, Pebble Beach and St. Andrews, all courses where he had won before. Woods never had a serious chance on the back nine of any major that year. His tally remains at 14. And that makes 2014 even bigger. Woods is facing another favourable menu of major championship sites. He already has won majors at Augusta, Royal Liverpool (British Open) and Valhalla (PGA Championship). The U.S. Open is at Pinehurst No. 2, were Woods was third in 1999 and runner-up in 2005. "Im trending in the right way," Woods said recently. "Ive finished third, second ... you get the picture, right? OK." A new year begins Friday at the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, and while Woods is among PGA Tour winners who chose to sit this one out, his performance in the majors this year figures to be a major topic of conversation over the next eight months. "I always think that the Masters signals a lot with Tiger," NBC analyst Johnny Miller said during a conference call. "If he doesnt win the Masters, I think it gives a great, big Uh-oh, because that course is so perfect for his game. Ill leave it at that. But if he wants to get off on the right foot, I think he needs to get off at the Masters." Theres a big difference with Woods the last time he faced such a tantalizing rotation of majors. Nicklaus spoke of a "big year" when Woods was more of a mystery than ever. No one had seen Woods in more than a month going into 2010 and didnt even know where he was. His personal life at home, his mystique in golf and his appeal in the corporate world were crumbling in spectacular fashion. Now, he is No. 1 in the world. He won five times last year against some of the strongest fields. He won the Vardon Trophy for the ninth time, the PGA Tour money title for the 10th time and was voted PGA Tour player of the year for the 11th time. Still, there remains an uncertainty about Woods, mainly because he hasnt won a major since 2008 and he hasnt broken 70 on the weekend of any major since the 2011 Masters. Thats a startling statistic for a guy who has built a reputation as golfs greatest closer. "Its getting much harder for Tiger because guys are not wilting on him," Miller said. "So hes got a double whammy in that hes not able to close as well as he used to, and then the guys are more heroic against him like they never were before. ... Guys are saying, Yeah, youre Tiger Woods and youre the greatest ever, but now at your age, I can beat you. He needs to do it in the majors." Will familiar venues help? Not necessarily. Woods forever is linked with Augusta National because of his record score (270) and margin of victory (12 shots) in the 1997 Masters, his back-to-back wins (2001-02) and that magic moment with his chip on the 16th hole that led to his playoff win in 2005. But he has not added to his wardrobe of green jackets in eight years, his longest drought in any major. Who saw that coming? And while he is trending in the right direction at Pinehurst No. 2, the Donald Ross design has gone through a restoration project that eliminated rough and replaced it with sandy dunes, pine straw and wire grass. Woods won the 2006 British Open at Royal Liverpool when it was firm and fiery, a links that was more yellow than green because of a dry summer. Woods hit only one driver the entire week. It might not be the same course if England gets a wet summer — and yes, it does rain in England — and players see Hoylake green, lush and longer. Valhalla is where Woods made what he considers the biggest putt of his career, a 6-footer on the final hole for birdie to force a playoff that he won over Bob May in the PGA Championship. It gave Woods his third straight major in that amazing summer of 2000. If that seems like a long time ago, it was. Woods will not have seen Valhalla in 14 years when he returns this summer. The best gauge of Woods and his pursuit of Nicklaus is more about him than the course he is playing. More than St. Andrews or Pebble Beach, more than Hoylake or Valhalla, its best to consider Southern Hills. Thats the course that supposedly gave Woods fits because of its tight, bending, tree-lined fairways. Woods won the 2007 PGA Championship that year, proof that when hes on his game and in the right frame of mind, he can win any major on any course. More significant than where the majors are played in 2014 is the fact Woods turned 38 on Monday. By age alone, Woods has been ahead of Nicklaus pace in the majors since winning his seventh major in 2002 Masters at age 26. They are tied now. Nicklaus also had 14 majors when he turned 38, and then he added his 15th major that summer in the British Open. Thats what makes this a big year for Woods. Khris Davis Jersey . Bayern winger Franck Ribery marked his league return after recovering from a cracked rib by scoring two goals and setting up two more as the league leaders inflicted the heaviest home defeat on Bremen in the Bundesliga. Chris Hatcher Jersey . Matt Carkner got back into the Ottawa lineup, and made his presence felt right away by settling his clubs score in a one-sided fight with Rangers forward Brian Boyle. http://www.athleticsrookiestore.com/Athletics-Dave-Henderson-Kids-Jersey/ . The German has taken the pole for three straight races -- winning the first two. Hes aiming for a third consecutive win at the Yeongam circuit and, most importantly, a fourth consecutive F1 championship. Chad Pinder Jersey .D. Martinezs ninth-inning sacrifice fly scored Torii Hunter with the winning run and the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 Sunday. Brett Anderson Jersey . The 30-year-old Kottaras served as Kansas Citys backup catcher last season after being claimed off waivers from Oakland in January. MIAMI -- Safety Louis Delmas signed a one-year contract Monday worth up to $3.5 million with the Miami Dolphins, who shook up their secondary on the eve of free agency. Miami also released cornerback Dimitri Patterson on Monday. Patterson was plagued by injuries the past two seasons, and his release frees up more than $5 million in salary cap space for the Dolphins. Delmas spent the past five seasons with the Detroit Lions, who released him last month. Hes expected to replace Chris Clemons, who can become a free agent Tuesday. Delmas started 15 games in 2013 and had a career-high three interceptions. The South Florida native was a second-round draft pick who made 64 starts for the Lions. "He is leader on and off the field and has a proveen track record of playmaking that will benefit the entire defensive unit," new Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said.dddddddddddd The Dolphins are expected to be active in free agency beginning Tuesday. Their priority will be to revamp an offensive line that had an awful 2013 both on and off the field, and became the focus of a bullying scandal that sabotaged the season. Guards Richie Incognito and John Jerry, both implicated in the scandal, are among those who become free agents. Neither is likely to return to Miami. Help for the defensive front seven will also be on Hickeys shopping list. Nose tackles Paul Soliai and Randy Starks can become free agents, and the Dolphins also want to upgrade their linebacker corps. ' ' '