World Golf Rankings: Is Phil Mickelson going to beat Tiger Woods?
In a recent survey conducted by Fox Sports inquiring its viewers about the golfer that deserves number one ranking, Tiger Woods was given 42% votes, whereas Phil Mickelson was surprisingly right behind him snatching 41% of the total votes. On the other hand, 17% of the people who voted believed that the title of the world’s best golfer should be awarded to someone other than these two.
Although Tiger Woods recently had a serious neck injury due to which he had to back off from The Players Championship, yet, the golf-guru still maintains the No.1 ranking. It is believed that Woods may stumble due to not having a coach at the moment as he and Hank Haney had a dramatic separation. However, the fact that Woods is playing the Memorial Tournament (from May 31 to June 06) shows that Woods is as tough as a wood!
Right behind him on the No.2 spot is Phil Mickelson who is believed to take Wood’s place if Mickelson shows an outstanding performance at the Colonial. For Mickelson who has kept on amazing the golfing world, it is not an impossible task, though by doing so, he will take over the No.1 ranking which would be a first-time event in his life.
This season proved lucky for Lee Westwood as he finished second at the Masters, where Phil Mickelson had topped. Lee also played superbly at The Players though he ended up being fourth in the line. For his great play Lee Westwood has been put on the No.3 position of the world’s best golfers this year.
It seems as if injuries have invaded the golf-course as first it was Woods and then Steve Stricker who is about to make a comeback at the Colonial. Steve had a prolong shoulder injury due to which he had to miss the Tour. Steve Stricker has snatched the No.4 spot.
The most favorite golfer this season to conquer the Colonial is none other than Jim Furyk who has had a wonderful season to date. He is at the moment No.5 in the world golf rankings.
Poulter fans were dismayed to see Ian Poulter ranking No.6 in the golf rankings. However, since he injured his knee earlier this month while playing basketball, he couldn’t test his luck at The Players Championship.
Among other golfers making it to the top 10, Ernie Els is on No. 7 and Paul Casey is right behind him on No. 8. After winning the BMW PGA Championship last year, Casey finished at a tie at the 17th position this year.
For Rory Mcllory it has been a fabulous year as he gave an outstanding performance at Quail Hollow where he was termed as the youngest PGA Tour winner since 1996 when Tiger Woods got the honor. For this reason, Mcllory proudly entered the top 10 rankings and is currently at No.9. Although Mcllory was unfortunate to miss the cut at The Players, yet he tied in the 48th place at the BMW PGA Championship held at Wentworth.
Things are not turning well for the World’s No.10 Anthony Kim as he will have to miss both the US Open and probably the British Open due to his thumb surgery. The doctors have recommended him a twelve-week break which will unfortunately cost him some major golf tournaments.
But the debate on No.1 continues between the two most outstanding golfers – Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. In the recent Golfweek Performance Index, Woods was on the top covering 15 events with a rating of 67.44, whereas Phil Mickelson was on No.5 covering 21 events and having a rating of 68.58.
The statistics say that Woods is still the favorite, whereas Mickelson has the guts and the luck to change the stats. Considering that lady luck was not in favor of Woods first due to his confession about his extra-marital affairs and then his coach leaving him, Wood has the nerves to handle his game without any external pressure. Whatever the case is and whoever wins between Woods and Mickelson, it will be the victory of golf as this season is bound to show some good quality golf.
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