12 AUGUST 2000, Page 25

Tiger's genes

From Mr R.S.F. Campbell Sir: Simon Barnes (BA Oxon, perhaps) fails to understand the reason for Tiger Woods's success (Sport, 29 July). It is what the geneti- cists call hybrid vigour: the athleticism of the sub-Saharan African and the precision and subtlety of the Khmers. If you want your grandchildren to prosper, a wife from east of Rangoon can be an exciting prospect.

R. S. F. Campbell

Queensland, Australia