BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2000 | The Open

While the world's elite golfers were left wondering how to compete with Tiger Woods, the Open champion must have made them feel even worse as he warned he would never tire of winning.

Woods' record-breaking win at St Andrews earned the 24-year-old the Grand Slam of all four Majors and he became the youngest player to achieve the milestone.

The world number one gained admittance to an exclusive club whose only previous members were Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.

His 19-under-par total of 269 was the lowest under-par score in Major history, beating by one the mark set by Nick Faldo on the same course in 1990 and his own set in winning the 1997 Masters - his first Major as a professional - by 12 shots.

Ben Hogan completed his Grand Slam at Carnoustie
It also makes him the first player since Nicklaus in 1972 to hold three of the four Major trophies at the same time - he defends the USPGA in Louisville next month - and the first since Watson in 1982 to do the Open-US Open double.

Stepping stone

But there was a sense that for Woods it was merely another goal ticked off on his to-do list, a stepping stone to even greater things and even perhaps the previously impossible dream of winning all four majors in one season.

Asked if he would ever tire of winning and move on to other things, Woods simply shook his head.

"It is really hard to put into words the emotions and feelings going through me and the thoughts that are running through my head," he said.

"To have an opportunity to complete the slam at St Andrews where golf all started makes it even more special.

Nicklaus farewell to St Andrews
"I've been fortunate to have my game peak at the right times. I've always said you'd like to have your game peak at four different times a year, but to actually have it happen is a different story.

"So far I've had a wonderful, wonderful young career and hopefully I can continue the success I have. If I don't that's fine too.

"I am going to keep working on my game, keep trying to get better and we will see what happens."

Past greats

Sarazen was 33 when he accomplished the career Grand Slam feat at the 1935 Masters.

Hogan was 40 when he made his one and only appearance at the Open at Carnoustie in 1953 and completed his set with a four-stroke win.

Player is the only non-American to complete a Grand Slam
Player was next. His 1965 US Open victory came at the age of 29 and made him the only non-American so far to have a career Grand Slam.

Then, of course, there was Nicklaus. He needed to compete in a mere 19 Majors as a professional to join the club, which he did at 26 by winning at Muirfield in 1966.

Nicklaus' 18 Majors victories are the yardstick by which Woods will ultimately be judged.

But in terms of ability he is surely already the best there has ever been.

Nicklaus never blew away opponents in the way Woods has now done in three of his four major victories.