Currently, the number 1 spot in the World Golf rankings is held by Tiger Woods. However, it has been widely reported that Woods will relinquish that ranking, for the first time in years, in the next month. Most expect the new #2 in the world, Lee Westwood, to stake his claim to the number one position. However, the hottest golfer on the planet right now is Martin Kaymer, and with a win or a runner finish this week, Kaymer will jump to the number one spot.
Since I have been old enough to really follow golf, Tiger Woods has been the number one player in the world. I saw someone write that death, taxes, and Tiger Woods being atop the world golf rankings are the only things we can all be assured of in life. Woods’ reign as number one is coming to a close, and with his personal life forever changed and his swing in the process of being changed, who knows if he will ever get that spot back.
The upcoming season could provide drama that the PGA Tour hasn’t seen in years, as the #1 ranking could potentially be changing hands weekly. For now, Kaymer is the best player in the world. He has won his last three starts (including a major), and seems to be unflappable coming down the stretch of a golf tournament. Lee Westwood has been the best golfer for the past year, as his consistency in majors and ability to be in contention week in, week out has made him a world-wide force. And then, there is Woods himself, who as previously mentioned, is going through a swing change with new coach, Sean Foley. Woods’ game and ego have certainly been put in check in the past year, however, I’m never one to count him out. I still believe that Woods has some spectacular golf, and a fair amount of wins, ahead of him.
In my mind, the world number one will be one of these three guys, and probably will be a combination of all three for the next year. I’d like to think that Phil Mickelson can climb up into this group (as he had, oh, about 30 chances to take over the # 1 ranking throughout the Tour season), but his game, and his mind, is completely inconsistent.
It will be these guys in the hunt for the number one ranking for the next year: Woods, Kaymer and Westwood. Westwood will probably grab hold of it first, but don’t be surprised if Kaymer is the next to claim. The young German has serious game, and if he gets it, who knows if he ever gives it back.
