It’s hard to imagine that Tiger Woods could surpass the expectations which were placed upon his ever-broadening shoulders entering this week. Yet he did. Woods captured the career Grand Slam at the Home of Golf on Sunday. And he did so in typical-Tiger fashion.

He won at Augusta by 12. He won at Pebble Beach by 15. Now he’s won at St. Andrews by eight. Kind of makes you wonder what happened at Medinah when he only won by one.

Tiger Woods’ name was etched onto the claret jug late Sunday afternoon. A simple formality.

With no peers in the present to battle, Tiger Woods had but one foe on Sunday – history. Woods made a run for the records in the final round of the 100th U.S. Open, and successfully finished the race. Woods shot a record-breaking, 12-under-par total to win his third professional major championship by a never-before-seen 15-stroke margin.

Tiger began the day at 8 under par, 10 shots clear of his nearest competitor. The trophy was his. The $800,000 winner’s check was his. A place in history was his. He just had to play 18 holes to make it official.

Tiger’s day began with nine consecutive pars.