Miller predicted Tiger's road to glory would be rough

Johnny Miller predicted Tiger Woods would encounter land mines on his goal to break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships.

But even Miller, who lives near Midway in Heber Valley, couldn't predict the biggest explosion of Tiger Woods' life would be cheating on his wife, a Swedish model, mother of his two children.

Miller did nail it, however, when he predicted there would be hurdles Woods would face as he matured and those obstacles would change his immortality and bring him back to earth.

It remains to be seen if the controversy Woods finds himself in derails his marvelous golf swing.

Back in 2004, Miller wrote a fine book called, "I Call the Shots," and he dedicates a chapter to the question, "Can Tiger Catch Jack?"

Back then, Woods had won eight majors, tournaments that include the U.S. Open, Masters, British Open and PGA Championship. Back then, Miller said even he was stunned at how quickly Woods had won those eight titles. He speculated if everything went perfect, Tiger could finish with 25 majors by the time he'd reached age 45.

Today, Tiger is 33 and has 14 major titles as this mega-celebrity sports scandal rocks his mind, body and spirit and forever changes his Nike, Gatorade and Buick champion image.

In the book, Miller officially predicted Tiger would win just 16 majors and fall short of Nicklaus.

Why?

Wrote Miller in 2004, "The primary pitfall is the tendency to look at Tiger as though time will stand still for the next 20 years. They see his youth, his ability, and his competition as parts of a continuum that will stand without interruption. Of course, golf doesn't work that way any more than life itself does. Things change."

Miller said Tiger's path is fragile and if he negotiates everything just right, he's got a shot.

"But if one of those land mines explodes, he won't get there."

Miller described one of those land mines as Woods' health, particularly the fallout from his tremendous torque on his body from his phenomenal swing. Four years later, Woods had ACL surgery and had to change his swing. He isn't among the longest drivers on Tour anymore.

Johnny also wondered if Tiger would get bored, stay healthy or burn out? Could he survive an inevitable slump? Would his putter get balky like it did with Miller, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson?

Miller asked, will the trappings of fame become an issue? Miller said wealth and adulation is dangerous for athletes. When you've made it, it takes "tremendous aspiration" to work hard and suffer "when deep inside, you know you don't really have to" and it's seductive.