Problem is, Woods has tampered with perspective, bent it out of shape. In years past, he has made it look easy, made it look predictable, made it look like his week, every week.

“Winning, that's the ultimate goal,” Woods said after running away with the BMW Championship to set the table for his FedExCup win. “And to play as well as I have of late and not get the 'W's' has been a little bit frustrating, no doubt, because I've been so close. It's just been a matter of making a couple putts here and there and I would have won the tournaments.”

This PGA Tour season was unusual in a number of ways. It included horrific tragedies, impacting the families of Ken Green and Chris Smith, and difficult challenges for the Mickelson family. It included four majors notable more for the players who did not win them: Kenny Perry (Masters), Ricky Barnes (U.S. Open), Tom Watson (British Open) and Woods (PGA).

Eventually the season concluded with an uplifting victory for Mickelson, one that bodes well for 2010. But in the end, with or without a major, by any standards, it was a year that belonged to Woods.

“I think there are many ways to measure greatness,” Haney said. “Winning tournaments is one way to define greatness, winning majors is another way. I personally think that consistency is a measure of greatness — making cuts, finishing in the top 10, finishing in the top 5, finishing in the top 3 and winning on a consistent basis.

“Considering where he came from with his ACL injury and the difficult rehab, I don't know how you would describe his year. Personally, I am reluctant to say anything. If I say nothing, I get ripped. If I say something, I get ripped for making excuses or sugarcoating things.”

Truth is, nothing needs to be said. It was a different kind of year for Tiger Woods, but it was his year nonetheless.