The last time we saw Tiger Woods hoist a major championship trophy was on a busted leg at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. In 18 major championship starts since then he has nine top-10 finishes, but no wins.

Swing changes, personal problems and injuries have slowed his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus and his 18 major titles.

Woods will turn 38-years-old on December 30th and the number of years remaining for him to catch Nicklaus are dwindling. In recent years we have seen Darren Clarke, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson win majors as 40-somethings, but winning majors in your 40’s is a rare occurrence.

Woods, however, is not only competing against time, he is playing on legs that hamper his efforts. Multiple surgeries over the years have robbed him of opportunities and forced him to seek a golf swing that places less stress on his legs.

With the emergence of Adam Scott and Justin Rose as major championship winners in 2013, the field is becoming more competitive. Throw in proven winners such as; Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. Add a dash of Henrik Stenson, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth and you make it much more difficult to win.

The facts are Woods won five PGA Tour events in 2013 including the Players Championship, that boasts the best field of the year. He finished top-10 in two of the year’s majors and won the PGA Tour money title. He recaptured the No. 1 spot on the Official World Golf Rankings and was named PGA Tour Player of the Year.

Multiple wins last year showed Woods that he can still compete with the big boys and when healthy is the best of the best.

It has been proven that he can win on any type and style of golf course. The majors are foremost in his thoughts and he is focused on those four tournaments next season.

He has not won a major since 2008, by far the longest drought of his career. Odds are that he may just start winning majors in bunches.  

April in Augusta is just around the corner.