This is in response to Steve Thomas’ letter to the editor, “Woods nothing close to being best athlete” (SN 4/18).

Anyone who’s ever watched Tiger Woods play could not possibly contend what he does isn’t athletic. Coiling up and striking a golf ball accurately at long distances is an extremely difficult athletic move.

As for Woods’ athleticism, his coach at Stanford University regarded him as the school’s strongest pound-for-pound athlete, including football and basketball players.

As for fatigue playing a factor on the PGA Tour, ask Ken Venturi, who won the 1964 U.S. Open despite the 100-degree heat that week and suffering from severe dehydration.

Keeping in mind that golf is a test of athleticism and stamina, I think Woods is not only in the same league athletically as Michael Jordan, but arguably the greatest sports figure today.

Erik Tamlyn
civil engineering senior