A European Dawn
The National Golf Foundation provides insight into the business of golf and provides authentic associated information. According to its recent findings there will be an increase in the number of golfers and rounds played over the next decade. The growth will
be measured, but slow.
In the meantime, after their struggle in China, leading American golfers are outnumbered by their stronger than ever European counterparts. While the Europeans attained leading victories in the WGC-HSBC Champions Tournament in China the Americans drowned
in the background, overshadowed by the formers lead in the game. In the World Rankings out of the top 11 players only four are American (Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Steve Strickler and Jim Furyk) and seven are European.
The upcoming $7.5 million Dubai World Championship to be held in the following week will most definitely crown Europe’s new No. 1 and consequently a champion in the World Rankings. The Dubai World Championship is a golf tournament on the European Tour and
was held for the first time in November 2009 on the Earth course at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event is a climax to the Eurpoean Tour Race to Dubai. The champion at the season-long Order of Merit champion will earn a $1.46
million additional monetary benefit and will most likely emerge No. 1 in the World Rankings.
The strongest European contender to emerge on the top of the Official World Global Rankings is currently the 25 year old German golfer Martin Kaymer. His victory at the 2010 PGA Championship has given him a head start towards attaining the No. 1 position
at the World Ranking if he emerges victorious at the Dubai World Championship. Keymer is currently the second German golfer to win a major championship after Bernhard Langer and No. 3 in the World Ranking. English professional golfer Lee John Westwood is currently
No. 1 in the World Ranking, but will most likely have his position stolen by Keymer if he fails to attain at least a second position at the Dubai World Championship.
After steady victories at the PGA and Ryder Cup, three European Tour events in 2010 and seven other wins, Keymer is looking towards a successful continuation of his short golfing career. Graeme McDowell, a Northern Irish professional golfer, might be Kaymer’s
closest competitor for the top position due to his series of victories at six European Tour events and the 2010 U.S Open. McDowell has also represented Ireland at the World Cup.
Lee Westwood’s chances of maintaining his top ranking seem slim after his critical calf muscle tear forcing him to miss a huge chunk of the season. The injury has attained him a setback of $1.25 million behind Kaymer – advancing Kaymer’s chances of climbing
to the top. Even though Westwood won the Dubai tournament last year he does not stand a chance at winning this year. Therefore, Kaymer’s only competition remains McDowell.
European Golf has reached a great moment with consecutive victories and players making a significant mark in the Global rankings. After Europe reclaimed the Rider Cup in October this year through McDowell the trend has been a steady upward climb ever since.
With the sun setting on America’s mainstay, Tiger Woods, and Europeans aggressively dominating the World Rankings, it seems like the future of golfing greatness might be writ by European hands.
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