How can Tiger be #1 again? Singh has won ten times in the last 14 months and Tiger has won three times. How does that compute? Hell, Mickleson has won three times and almost won three of the four majors, and he's behind Tiger too. The whole world ranking system if a bunch of garbage as far as I'm concerned. What do you think? Should Tiger be ranked #1? This it not the same as, is Tiger the best golfer? I think he is the most talented golfer, But he isn't playing the best golf. Singh is. With Mickleson second. In the past 6 months, who has fired the lowest rounds, (59,60,62)? Mickleson. Who has the lowest scoring average? Mickleson. And Tiger's #1? NOT.

First, let me say there is too much math involved for me to be too worried about world rankings. I guess the "Strength of Field" portion of the world rankings probably helps Tiger's rank more than Vijay. If you look at a lot of the tournaments Vijay won, they were the weaker events on the tour, like the John Deer. Most of the players in the field in such events only have conditional status on the PGA tour, or are tour rookies just trying to make enough cash to keep their cards. Tiger tends to play the bigger events (and especially his sponsors' events) where the big names are all there. I have to agree with the current system that a second or third place finish in a strong field is more significant than a win in a weak field.

Well Don if you've ead my replys to Who's your favorite Golfer? Than you know I like Tiger. I no he had a couple ruff years, but compared to who? Himself? He showed once again in a head to head match with Lefty that he is the more dominant player. Not only did he come from behind, but he beat him when it counted the last two holes. As far as Vijay did you see what he did today I mean come on how do you miss that put to force another hole? Tiger would have never missed that put. That showed a lack of mental toughness. If your #1 in the world youmake that put. Tiger is by far the best Golfer of our time, well mine your a little older . He is back on his game so we shuold just sit back and enjoy, becuse he brings to golf what was missing the last couple of years TIGER!!!!

I'm trying to locate a good explanation of how the rankings are determined. Once I find it I'll post it.

Strength of field is definitely a factor, but I'm pretty sure there is a sliding scale involved as well. I seem to recall hearing recently that Tiger was about to lose some of his older points.

JW

I'm not a little older, I'm a lot older. Don't get me wrong, I like Tiger a lot, and I too think that he is the best golfer playing the game. I just think the world ranking is supposed to be based on what you do, not your potential. Tiger at his best can win every event, but he isn't playing at his best, and hasn't been for over 2 years now. I have to admit I didn't think about the strength of field issue. I have no way of looking up or trying to figure out who played in all of the events over the last 2 years to see who played the best against the better players. So for that reason, I guess I will have to just except what the world rankings are. I'll say one more thing on this issue and than shut up. Last week Mickleson hit a driver of 318 yards down the middle, and then Tiger hit his drive 363 yards in the fairway. If I ever hit a drive 318 yards, I don't want to have to hit first and be 45 yards behind the other guy. That has got to hurt. If Tiger can control that new driver, he will be hell on the rest of those guys.

Even though the World Rankings don't necessarily mirror the sentiment, I think Tiger AND Vijay have the right idea. Both say winning takes care of the ranking. As far as the sliding scale, its my understanding its based on the last 24 months, with the last 12 months carrying the most weight.
There is an Official World Golf Ranking Web Site:
http://www.officialworldgolfranking.com/about_us/default.sps?iType=425

Too much reading for me, but if anyone is so inclined and wants to report the Cliff Notes version...

I see Vijay is back at # 1 again after two weeks finishing second on tour. What happened to Tiger this weekend? He went from 3 back to 11 back at the end. Vijay didn't win the last two weeks, but he sure made it interesting for the winners. I wonder how much short his second shot on 18 was. I know it hit the rocks and bounced into the water, but how close was it to making it over the rocks and being safe? Maybe a yard?

Tiger's driver is what happened. He put one OB on Saturday that really took him out of it. First, there was David Duval that went from Titleist to Nike and could no longer find the fairway. Then there was Tiger...
Is there a trend here?

personally, i think tiger is the SOLE reason nike has become a respected name in golf.
from what ive seen, their equipment is inferior to that of cleveland, callaway, taylor made, ping, or even mizuno.

apparently, the slingshot irons and their new drivers are far superior to previous models, but i still just dont know.

as for tiger, the question is simple.
is he or is he not the best player in golf?

overall, yes, he is.
RIGHT NOW, no, he is not.

RIGHT NOW, phil mickelson is the best player (despite him HANDING tiger the tournament a couple weeks back).
last year, vijay was the best player.
the rankings are obviously too complicated to figure out at a glance, and maybe even slightly unfair, but they ARE spread over a TWO year period.
thats why phil is #4 (and just got there from #5).
he was good the beginning of last year, GREAT at the end, but AWFUL the year before.
tiger was way down last year, but way down for whom?
he was "bad" only when comparing him to himself the years previous.
look at how many top tens he had. he was still a force, all be it not like before.
the year before, he was BY FAR the most dominant.

in short, yes, i think it may be fair to have him #1.
now of course theyre jockeying and vijay got it back.
if phil keeps up, HE could get to #1 by the end of the season (when his disastrous season finally gets erased).

either way, it will be EXTREMEMLY fun golf to watch.
fun like we havent seen in many of our lifetimes.
fun like nicklaus, palmer, player, trevino many years ago.

regardless of who has the #1 rank, we have FIVE guys (goosen has to get mention along with the other 4) who could win any week, and five guys who ANY combination of two paired on sunday would make for some EXCELLENT television.

im excited about the pga like i havent been since the golden bear last won in '87.
may the best man win, and may that man be phil mickelson

jake

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mr_divots:
[qb]Tiger's driver is what happened. He put one OB on Saturday that really took him out of it. First, there was David Duval that went from Titleist to Nike and could no longer find the fairway. Then there was Tiger...
Is there a trend here? [/qb][/QUOTE]david duval married a denverite and agreed to live the remainder of his years here in colorado. because of that, ill root for him as long as he plays.

still, nike isnt his problem.

he could play with a gold plated driver hand made by God himself.....and he'd still hit it o.b.

he's getting better (at least he's in the 70's!!), but he has a LONG way to go still.
at least he seems to be having fun, which he NEVER did before.

I'm sure the rankings are based on the strength of the field of each tournament and Tiger seems to be more selective of his tournament choices. He plays less tournaments than, lets say, Vijay Singh, but still hung on his heels all year last year in the rankings. Vijay plays a Hell of alot more tournaments than just about anybody on tour. In my opinion, thats why hes always on top....Don't get me wrong, he is a great golfer(one of the best) and his work ethic is unsurpassed by any. If Tiger played the same schedule as Vijay and as many tournaments, I don't think Vijay would even have a chance. All in all I feel, when on his game, Tiger Woods is without question the best golfer on tour. No offense, but its just my opinion.

fisher501,

Wampum, PA? Isn't Blackhawk GC near you?

JW

fisher,

i could be wrong, but its my understanding that often playing more tournaments HURTS a player in the rankings.
the exact formula is an unknown to most, but across the board not one person has said there's a BENEFIT to playing as often as vijay does.

my understanding is that playing so much hurts because a player is bound to have a bad week, and when that bad week comes in a weaker field, that player is penalized severely.
this is the reason you'll see a guy like vijay play in a tournament, finish 20th (not bad by any means), and LOSE points.

most all agree that if tiger had played in more tournaments a year ago he wouldve been ALOT further behind.

jake

Yes, Blackhawk is near me....about 15 minutes away actually....

I believe, and so do the pros I'm sure, The more you play the better you get. Its not only that he plays more, but he plays more tournaments that are easier to win with less competition.