New York, Dec 16 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Tiger Woods has been voted as the Athlete of the Decade by the members of the Associated Press. This couldn’t come at a better time for the scandal personalized Tiger Woods. His life whether professional or personal is at a all time low and he has taken an indefinite break from golf to give time to his family, so that he becomes a better father, husband and a person.

Tiger Woods received 56 of the 142 votes cast by AP member editors since the last month. More than half of the ballots were returned after the Nov. 27 car accident outside his Florida home that set off sensational tales of infidelity.

Lance Armstrong, who is a determined athlete as well as a cancer survivor. He won the Tour de France six times this decade, finished second with 33 votes. Roger Federer, who won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other man, with 25 votes, followed him. Record-setting Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps came in fourth with 13 votes followed by New England quarterback Tom Brady (6) and sprinter Usain Bolt (4).

“Despite the tsunami of negative publicity that will likely tarnish his image, there’s no denying that Woods’ on-the-course accomplishments set a new standard of dominance within his sport while making golf more accessible to the masses,” wrote Stu Whitney, sports editor of the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader.

“The only proof needed are the television ratings when Tiger plays in a golf tournament, compared to those events when others have to carry the load.”

Tiger Woods has won 64 times around the world, including 12 majors, and hoisted a trophy on every continent where golf is played. His 56 PGA Tour victories in one incomparable decade were more than anyone except four of golf’s greatest players won in their careers.