... AND THE CRADLE COULD ROCK TIGER WOODS' DOMINANCE COULD GET SIDETRACKED -- NOT BY HIS COMPETITORS, BUT BY FATHERHOOD.

Byline: JILL PAINTER Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO - There's seemingly nothing that Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh or anyone else on the PGA Tour can do to beat Tiger Woods these days.

Woods has won sixconsecutive tour stroke-play events and can make it seven with a victory in this week's Buick Invitational, a tournament he's won four times.

Tiger's dominance, however, could be in jeopardy.

He's scheduled to become a first-time father in July. Woods always has been committed to golf preparation. He works countless hours on his game and fitness.

Yet, he might be spending more time changing diapers and inducing burps than working on flop shots and putting nuances.

His life will change, but many players don't think Tiger's results will be much different.

``I don't see how (it would change),'' Mickelson said. ``I mean, I certainly hope it does, but I don't see that happening. He's always been able to balance so many different areas of his life that I think this will just be another area that he adds to the mix, and a very rewarding part of his life.''

Woods, who has won at Torrey Pines the past two years, was giddy as he talked about having a baby with his wife, Elin. In all the joy, he might given away the baby's sex, too, when talking about the ultrasound.

``That was pretty cool,'' Woods said. ``There's one photo I'm trying to put in my office. I know he's my kid because he looks like he's telling me he's No. 1 in my heart. ... Some of you guys know what I mean.''

But when pressed further, he said he didn't know the baby's sex and wouldn't find out at least for another few weeks.

One thing that is clear is that ``Baby Woods'' will take priority.

The U.S. Open is in June and British Open in July. Woods will either be a brand-new father or will be waiting to become a father around two majors. If the birth conflicts with a major, well, then he would pass on playing. He's not about to wear a pager, a la Mickelson in the 1999 U.S. Open.

``(I) just don't go,'' Woods said. ``If (Elin) is going to have it during the week of the Open, you just don't go. That's the most important thing, not a golf tournament.''

Woods' golf success very much followed a Hollywood script until he lost his father, Earl Woods, in May. Woods lost his father, friend and mentor all at the same time.

Yet through that pain, he had one of the best seasons of his career, winning eight tournaments, two majors and the tour's Player of the Year award for the eighth time. Even through that pain, his game didn't suffer, other than missing the cut at the U.S. Open.

Woods is well aware that things won't be the same.

``Of course it's going to change,'' Woods said. ``Our priorities do change. You're bringing a new life into the world, and it's 100 percent dependent on you for survival. So yeah, it does change. -- I think it will be interesting to try to figure out your tournament schedule, preparations, my commitments that I have to my sponsors, to try to balance that with adding a new family member.''

John Daly jokingly wished he was part of the Woods family.

``I wanted to be his child,'' he said, laughing. ``If I was his child, I wouldn't play golf anymore. I'd be sitting in a boat somewhere spending all Dad's money. I've been trying to get him to adopt me for the last five years.''

Daly has four children, so he knows what a juggling act fatherhood and golfing can be. He thinks Woods will handle both duties with continued success.

``It will change his life,'' Daly said. ``It definitely does.

``Anyone who's had kids, it does change your life. Your responsibilities get a little more focused on the children than it does on your game sometimes. But Tiger? The way he manages himself and the good people around him, it's not going to affect his game, I promise you.''

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