Number One in the Golfing World...Is There One?

Parity, lasses and lads, is the word of the day. We see it in american football this season and we have known it existed in golf for at least two or three years. The last truly powerful number one was that ancient wizard, Eldrick “Tiger” Woods. Although he legally changed his name, old habits die hard. Wizard Woods struck fear into the hearts of many opponents, made others nervous and sweaty, and caused others still to swoon and faint on sight/site. Since an injury and an incident, Woods is no longer the feared immortal that secured his hold on the top spot in the incredibly-uninmportant and invalid world golf rankings.  In fact, on October 31st, a new number one will take over his creaky, unstable throne. Yet I move too quickly.

After Greg Norman relinquished his stranglehold on the top spot, a series of occupants briefly held that distinction. If memory serves, Tom Lehman, Vijay Singh and David Duval all wore the crown for months or weeks or week at a time. Only Norman and Woods have secured the position for more than 100 weeks, although Faldo came close with 98.  For a time during 2010, speculators suggested that Phil Mickelson would take over the highest position from Woods. On multiple occasions, Mickelson needed only a top ten finish to overtake the leader, yet failed to do so. Now, a Euro golfer on the mend will do so in absentia. Lee Westwood, nursing the calf injury that kept him out of action during parts of August and September, ascends on October 31st, thanks to his and Woods non-participation. I remember when my Buffalo Bills won  the Super Bowl by not participating…no, they didn’t.

For some element of sports ranking to have validity, it should be won by … winning! Lee Westwood will become the world’s new number one, then probably fall out just as quickly, for not participating. Is this ranking something we need? Does it generate office or cafe or bar room discussion? If no one cares, eliminate it. I promise that this will be the last piece I write on it.