Sergio Could Become #1 This Week

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 11, 2009 2:15 PM EDT

Statistically speaking, Sergio Garcia could become the number one ranked player in the world after this week's CA Championship. How much has Tiger's layoff helped Garcia? The AP explains:

Garcia, who was 16.278 points behind Woods after the U.S. Open, trails him by a mere 1.59 points.

The Official World Golf Ranking measures performance over a 24 month period. Garcia certainly has played well over that timeframe, with a Players Championship win, a runner up at the PGA Championship and Open Championship, a win in China among other achievements.

Tiger Woods' absence, though, has aided Garcia's charge. Despite Woods' masterful performances and total winning percentage in the last 24 months, he has lost many of the points from those victories because of the last nine months in which he has played just once. Combine the two factors and Garcia has a scenario in which he could become #1. What's the scenario?

To become No. 1 in the world, Garcia would have to win the CA Championship and have Woods finish 27th or worse.

Garcia has one big thing working against him this week, though. One is that Woods has won at Doral thrice in six tries and never finished out of the top 10. Still, Garcia finished 3rd here in this event in 2007 and 15th last year. In three other career starts at Doral, though, he hasn't finished better than 33rd.

The last European to be ranked #1? Nick Faldo.

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SO - what does it take to be #1 ?

(1) a good streak of play – combined with – (2) Tiger either completely revamping his swing (as with Vijay and David Duval) OR having reconstructive knee surgery that takes him off the tour for about 9 months. No sweat. :-)

That said – it IS possible right now. Two weeks of rest and conditioning, in my opinion, still isn’t enough to have Tiger in tournament tough condition.

On the other hand – he doesn’t have to face the hills or the length of the Match Play course. As long as his putter is in good working order, he can smooth it around Doral and not put undue pressure on the knee.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 11, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

The formula to become #1? Tiger injury, death, or swing rework plus a string of solid play from someone else

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 11, 2009 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

it seems to be the only way

(1) COMBINED with (2)…and I never said death (geez – you’re morbid !!) lol

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 11, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha, well, it is one of the ways :)

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 11, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

13 years as a pro...

…Tiger has been bumped out of the top spot twice…at least this way will be something different…IF it happens.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 11, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha, true, would be a new way to lose #1 other than a swing change.

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 11, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

"you HAD you chance and you BLEEEWWW it !"

Looks like Sergio is making the least of his big opportunity. One shot ahead of Tiger halfway through the second round – and 8 shots behind Mickelnuts.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 13, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions