Tiger's grand slam challenge

BOOKIES are giving 12-1 odds that Tiger Woods is to win a grand slam of golfing majors in 2008.

This year may be his best opportunity of achieving that goal, and Woods has admitted himself the slam is “easily within reach”.

It would be a remarkable achievement for the golfing great who has held all four titles at once, but not in the same season and over two calendar years (2000 and 2001).

The first major of the year – The Masters - will be held at Augusta National in April as it is every year. Woods has won four times at Augusta, and it was here he captured his first major at the age of 21 by 12 strokes in 1997.

Golf’s next big tournament will be the US Open at Torrey Pines, which is also the home of the Buick Invitational. This is a competition that Woods has dominated and he has picked up wins here in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Southport will host The Open this year for the first time in 10 years. The last time golf’s oldest major was in the north west of England, Woods was one stroke off the play off contested by Brian Watts and Mark O’Meara. O’Meara won in 2008, but Woods must fancy his chances this year.

The fourth and final major of the year – The USPGA – will this year be played at Oakland Hills in Michigan. Woods hasn’t won here, although he has claimed four USPGA titles, and that includes the last two.