Lee Westwood Has a Word or Two For the OWGR Critics
by Charles Boyer on Nov 6, 2010 9:22 AM EDT
Email
Print
Lee Westwood seems intent on proving that his new OWGR #1 ranking is no fluke. In Shanghai, the Englishman is playing well, and is stalking the European Tour breakout star Francesco Molinari for the winner's trophy in the HSBC Championship.
He also had a few words for the critics who've derided his new perch atop the golf world, calling them "confused."
"A lot of people get confused about the rankings. A lot of people get confused about Major championships and who is the most consistent player in the world," Westwood said yesterday.
Among those critics is Butch Harmon, who said that the system that the Official World Golf Rankings uses to compile its standings "sucks."
Sir Nick Faldo recently commented that what Westwood needs to legitimize the ranking is wins in the major tournaments. Fair criticism, that, and it is something that Westwood is keenly aware of. "I know that I haven't won a Major championship," he said, "I'm very well aware of that. But I do know I've probably played the most consistent golf in the world over the last two years, and that reflects in my world ranking."
See also. Greg Norman calls the change at the top of golf's rankings "fantastic."
68 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
good article...
Westwood has certainly proved his capability, the last 3 days, especially coming off an injury break, it cant be easy to maintain a good swing after a 6 week layup, especially at the level of golf being played this week in China.
I do agree his reputation needs a major to be complete, though I believe that the OWGR is a good system and has correctly placed the number one spot, and it will be fun to see how it jumps from player to player over the next 12 months. If Westwood can hold it for 12 months, it will be incredible.
"If it doesn't work, you are trying to hard."
http://twitter.com/Roy_Ko
Royko.....I disagree about the
system being a good one. Had Tiger died in his accident and they left his name in the rankings, a dead man would have been #1 for almost a year. When he had his knee surgery, he didn’t play for 8 months and he was still #1…….Two years is way to long for the rankings to be calculated, especially in golf. Maybe 3 or 4 months would give us a better idea who is #1. Two years gives you the #1 Consistent golfer….a shorter time would give you who is playing the best recently. Westwood has been the most consistent the last 2 years, but Kaymer or McDowell have played better the past few months.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Was someone out drinking a bit too late last night ? Leaving a dead man in the rankings ??? Where did that come from ? (have to admit – it was pretty funny, though) :-D
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Court.....
The subtle (or not so subtle) point was that TW hasn’t played much better than a………well you know what I meant…..:)
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Well, em suggested that
it would have been ridiculous if a dead man had been left in the rankings. I’m adding that when someone officially retires they should also be removed from the rankings. Otherwise it makes even more of a mockery of “Who is the best player in the world today”. Male or female.
Thats the thing...
Sincerely, thats the thing about systems, none is perfect, but onehas to be in place. To be good for a year in a carreer that expands alm olmost 30 for most, is not enough to say that one os deserving of the title. That being said, its not fair to new members to say who had the best carreer over 10 years, so two is the fair number picked, I guess…Westwood is the best player over two years, injury’s and deaths considers..:)
Tiger is not worthy of the title, as a golfer today, his perosnal life has nothing to do with me or the OWGR. neither is Mickelson worhty of it, geven the chances he has had this year, though Mcdowell and Kaymer ahve played the game accordingly in 2010, and since Kaymer has fair chance to take the title last week and this week, they stil have to prove consistancy. As golfer I have learned that it is a sport that word consistancy is a fundamental and Westwood has been consistant for a long time. I don’t doubt Tiger, Mickelson or Kaymer, perhaps even McDowell will steal the spot in 2011 but today Westwood is number one and I accept it according to the system created.
"If it doesn't work, you are trying to hard."
http://twitter.com/Roy_Ko
I have no problem with Westwood
being #1…..that’s what the system is. You said in your original post that you thought it was a good system, and I am saying that I think the system stinks. Do you really think Tiger is the #2 player in the world?? or top ten for that matter??? Not even close. At least Phil won a major this year, but is he really #4 right now…..I think not. Westwood has only played 8 rounds (thats rounds, not tournaments) since the “Open”, hardly the best over the past 4 months. The system is what it is, and I think it sucks. Tiger is the best over the last 10 years, the best the over the last 5 years, the best over the last 3 years, but he is not the best right now and that’s what the rankings should reflect…..who’s playing the best right now. Up until last week, Tiger was #1….what a joke.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
em66
I think you have to measure the points over some extended period of time. Maybe two years is too long, but you have to look at a body of work much longer than 4 months. In my opinion the ranking should reflect more then who’s hot at the moment. With that said, it is interesting that Westwood got the ranking while winning very little. But I think that says more about that state of play in general than it does about the ranking system itself. What we have now is parity, and I guess that’s ok.
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
I understand,
but take what’s happening on the LPGA right now. The number one ranking is changing every week or two and that has created excitement at the end of the year when there is usually very little interest. I like it being out there up for grabs every week….just one more reason to watch. Do we need a dominate player…..maybe, maybe not, but with Tiger, he would have been #1 most of the time over the past 5 years even with a shorter time criteria.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
What's interesting to me is...
the amount of points that give a player the number one ranking. It’s a reflection of the parity in the game more then anything else I guess. At Tiger’s peak I think he had something like 28 or 29 points; now we have a number one player with less than 9 points which in many past years wouldn’t even get you the number two spot. Nothing against Westwood, but it’s not like he went out and did what VJ did in 2004. If Westwood is the best player in the world right now, (and I’m not saying he isn’t), I think we should recognize that currently the “best player title” carries a much lower requirement or standard of excellence than in years past.
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
TH......you're right about that...
Tiger was so far ahead of everyone that the rankings meant nothing. No one cared, as everyone knew who was the best. I think more interest would be generated if a shorter period was used to determine #1. I think Alabama is still the best team in the country, but they are not #1 because they lost. If we use all the games over the past two years they would still be ranked #1. Is Tiger still the best……who knows, but he’s not the #1 (or #2 or #10) player right now. Just look at what interest has been generated by the change in #1. If it were something that happened regularly, it would add some excitement to the game. IMO
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Glad you think Bama is the best team...
but that dang Cam Newton is REALLY IMPRESSIVE. Pisses me off….lol Good luck in the game today!
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
They are good....
but they are coming to OUR house…..if we have a perfect game and Bama turns it over a couple of times……well, it could happen. (can’t blame a guy for dreaming)…..:)
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
It's not dreaming at all
I think it will be a close game and LSU has a good chance to win.
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
We'll see.....
if Bama goes up big, I’m going to the golf course!!!!! Can’t stand Nick Satan, and don’t want to watch him if they are blowing us out! (Yeah the “Satan” thing was on purpose….lol)
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Lol
I just hope you’re right about the up big thing…..lol
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
Have you heard the rumors about
Saban going to the Cowboys?? That would be great. I already hate the Boyz, I could really, really hate them with Saban there……lol
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
OK, send him on over
Ol Smiley Jones will hire anyone…hehehe….STUB
Butch Davis May Find It Interesting
His UNC Tarheels are in a bunch of doo-doo regarding agents, academic fraud and other stuff that has had the NCAA on campus some 13-19 times since summer.
It may well be a great time for Butch to take his show back to the NFL.
by Charles Boyer on Nov 9, 2010 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
What we should be saying...
is that if Westwood is number one in the world right now and its because he played consistantly and didn;t win much, is whats happening to the standard of world golf, not whats the ratings about…
If Tiger was number one with 28 or 29 points, and now Westwood is number one with 9 points, its a reflection of a growing, and not streamlining or culling tour, not a reflection of the ranking system
"If it doesn't work, you are trying to hard."
http://twitter.com/Roy_Ko
Hey Gang
Greetings from France. About 30 of us met at 6:00 AM French time at a local CC to watch the action of the 3rd round. WOW@ Harrington double eagle, what a shot. I find the coverage of the tournament to be very balanced with many players being shown with a slight lean toward the leaders. Renton Laidlaw and the other announcers are fair with their comments and don’t find it necessary to grovel on with opinions about any peticular player, over and over and over. Finaly got to play some golf today as the weather hasn’t been that great. We managed to get in 27 holes after the HSBC coverage. I was kind of surprised to see such small crowds inChina with the majority of the fans following with Westwood and Molinari. I even heard a few fans yell a mumbled, mis-pronounced, “Get in the Hole” a couple of times. Just thought I’d check in so nobody thought I died. " GO WESTWOOD" !!! the Worlds #1 . He sure is playing like it.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Where Are You In France?
Just wondering. I have family in Aix-En-Provence, and in other various parts of Provence as well.
J’espère que tu avez un bon voyage!
by Charles Boyer on Nov 6, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, we have talked here so long, I figured the familiar was more a propos. I actually wrote “vous” initially and then changed it.
by Charles Boyer on Nov 7, 2010 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
Just teasing -- as you well know
and as I have now been taught to indicate with with smiley faces/lols.
PS You kept the “avez” however – hedging your bets! ;o)
Court & OMP
3 days in London, then 4 days in Toulouse, France, 5 days in Nantes, France and then 8 days in Waterford and Headford Ireland.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
what ? no days in the Champagne region ? I figured you’d be stocking up for New Years. :-)
Sounds like a great trip – hope you have the camera warmed up.
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
LOL Court
I’m not much of a picture taking tourist or for that matter, do much touristy stuff. Is “touristy” a word ? About the only time I take pictures of anything is when I go out on deep sea fishing trips. Must be a “Mano A Mano” thing. My g/f on the other hand takes enough pics for both of us. This trip is really a business venture as we are planning on opening up an office in either England, Ireland or France. So far it looks like it’s either going to be England or Ireland. France in our opinion is not very American friendly for doing business and we didn’t care for the Uppity attitude from the ‘so called’ French equivalent of the Chamber of Commerce.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
that’s the way it is – we have to be nice to everybody…even to the point of letting them walk all over us (even the countries we pulled out of the fire…twice) – but the reverse isn’t true. oh well.
still sounds like a fun trip.
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
I hear ya court
O well it;s there tax loss. Only 2 more days here in France and we will be happy to be headed over to Ireland. My partners and I are praying for some good golf weather. Good Golf weather this time of year in Ireland = 40’s and no rain arrrggg, Guess I’ll be playing the part of Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
You won’t be alone on the course ! Got your Footjoy winter gloves or something similar ? I picked up a pair of them a few years ago and they really make winter golf a lot easier.
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
I sure do...
I have 2 pair of FootJoy WinterSof gloves. My partners an I actually allowed one of our recent graduate interns to plan our trip for us as part of her on-going training. She had to plan everything from airlines, hotels, restaurants, car service, meetings, golf, entertainment and yes “seasonal clothing” including, golfwear. So far so good with everything, except she was off by an hour with one of our scheduled meetings due to time zone differences. At least we were an hour early and not an hour late. LOL
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
lol – doesn’t sound too bad – she was probably hoping you’d spend that extra hour shopping for something French to bring back for her. :-D
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
LMAO
If I had my way, I’d buy her a “French Maids Outfit” to wear around the office. jes sayin LOLOL
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Hey Jump...pay never no mine to Court...
he’s just a wussy…winter gloves in GAWGA?? It gets down to 65 and you want winter gloves ? Jeeeeze……STUB
OH ! when you get to Ireland – if you see a golf store – check and see if they have the Champ spikes with the nails in the middle. Almost impossible to find here in the States.
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Looking for these Court ?
http://www.champspikes.com/images/golf/enlarged_prostinger.jpg
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
those are the ones
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Court
One of my partners just informed me that Golfsmith carries the champ line. If you don’t have any luck there, I’ll help you out when I get home.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
What the heck are those spikes?
I’ve not seen them. Are they allowed on most courses and are they still considered soft spikes??? Enquiring minds want to know!!!
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
they carry Champ – but not the ones with the nail in the middle. I’ve heard of one course in Indiana that carries them and even encourages players to use hard spikes.
em – they are Champ’s version of the old hard spikes. They have the metal spike in the middle, but have the plastic flanges you’re used to seeing with the soft spikes.
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Wow Court
YOU fought in both WW1 & WW2 – Europe owes you – Legion D’Honneur,
George Medal, Victoria Cross – how many Purple Hearts were you awarded? You brave little soldier you.
You really are a
rabble rouser arn’t you ? lol….STUB
wow ! that almost passes as 4th grade “logic”
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
I wonder if your 3rd grage logic ever extends to considering
whether when someone of YOUR age visits, eg. France, and swaggers around giving out the old “WE’ve saved your ass twice now fall at my feet” crap, the natives may be less than appreciative?
Old soldiers would get a different reception. You might even try listening to a French song called “Si, les ‘Ricains n’etaient pas la” ("If the Americans had not been there).
Nope – I don’t let people like that bother me too much. If it’s a merchant, I find somewhere else to spend my money. If it’s just a rude person, they aren’t worth spoiling my vacation.
Your exaggerations are really tiresome – nobody ever said “fall at my feet” – what was said was that there is no reason for the rudeness – and if someone had pulled my bacon out of the fire, I’d at least try to be friendly.
And no – old soldiers don’t get a different reception. My dad is a member of a military social orginaztion that counts quite a few WWII veterans and heros among their ranks – and many of them refuse to go back to France because of the treatment they have received. These are some of the nicest men I have ever met and they had made a number of trips back to visit Normandy (where they saw many of their friends die) for the annual remembrances at the memorial. They go as a duty to their fallen friends, and more often than not come home glad to have been there for the memorial and to meet with the French officials – but don’t much care for the rude new generation.
Don’t feel too bad – they aren’t real happy with a lot of American grand kids in this generation. :-)
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Court.....I agree....
I found the French arrogant and rude, the Swiss were….well I’m not sure, I think they were dead……but the Italians….now those folks were extremely friendly and accommodating. I want to go back to Italy, but France….naw.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Heck I'm French myself....
But the way we were treated in France by the French equivalent of the Chamber of Commerce people was poor at best. Even our host commercial realtor from France was a little taken back by our treatment and she was born there and was with us during our meeting. Needless to say we are opting out of France for our Euro office.
On the upside, Our hotel is awsome and the hotel staff has been very gracious. Our daily concierge at the hotel, John Pierre Doucette is one of the best I’ve ever met and if not for the fact that he is happily employed there, we would hire him ourselves as he speaks 4 languages and his customer service level is second to nobody.
Leaving for Ireland in a few hours. Catch you later.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
yeah yeah yeah – nice hotel – we get it…but were they wearing the “French Maid’s” costume we all love ? :-)
So what you’re saying is that maybe the French don’t hate Americans, they’re just generally rude people ? (lol)
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
I find your comments re
“countries we have pulled out of the fire – twice” equally tiresome. Particularly when you persist in using the term “we”. Heaven knows how many times you have repeated this glib remark. Try to remember that the catalyst for USA enterering WW1 was the American loss of life on Lusitania, and that Germany declared war on USA in 1941, not the other way around, making Germany our common enemy at that time. Americans fought bravely with great loss of life in both wars, and can proudly claim to have participated in the liberation of France, (how else to defeat Germany?) but please don’t try to present either yourself or the USA as purely knights on white chargers – it’s too simplistic & simply not true.
The French are indeed not terribly friendly towards Americans; they regard them as culturally inferior, loud, brash, crass, etc. They regard the English with the same contempt (note: not the Scots with whom they have an “Auld Alliance”), but, like you, we don’t care either. We simply reply with our own stereotypical comments about them. “Arrogant load of posers” as em might say! Actually outside of Paris, they’re not so bad. My Normandy cousins (via my French husband) have nothing but praise for the American forces from WW2 but still dislike America of today.
It’s hardly surprising that the new generation of French, British, Germans, etc, are indifferent. It’s just history to them.
I find your last remark spine-chilling – reminescent of departing soldiers gloating at leaving their “children” behind, rather than the “entente cordiale” which I hope you meant.
So we agree – the French have a real nasty streak and have no problem thinking themselves superior. (kind of like our modern day democrat party) (just teasing)
I still find it funny that one of the greatest landmarks in Paris was built by the British – the Pont Neuf, and is still graced with a statue of Henry IV. That bridge is an amazing piece of architecture.
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Yup, we do agree (she said looking over her shoulder)
that the French are rude arrogant prats – why else would we English (not Brits) have fought hundreds of years of wars with them – bloody neighbours!
And yet – Statue of Liberty – gift from the French to USA 1886.
And yet …. a King said “Paris vaut une messe” (1593)
and yet – a German refused to destroy Paris – von Choltitz (sp.?) WW2
Reminds me of a joke ( short version) " God created one of the most beautiful countries in the universe and then put the French in it". Apparently this joke convulses the Russians – I sort of get it. Looking over her shulder.
lol "there goes the neighborhood"
yep – we kept the statue of liberty – we proudly display it – and we don’t deny that it was a gift from the French – we don’t spit on it.
of COURSE the Germans refused to destroy Paris – have you ever eaten in a German restaurant ? Paris was where all the good food was coming from ! :-) (I actually like good German food – but I don’t have to eat scnitzel 3 times a day)
“Paris is a mess” ? What ?? I know I know – “Paris is worth a mass” – which makes no sense – and it was said by a French king…before he became king and he had to convert to Catholicism in order to take the crown. (“it’s worth it to say I’m a catholic to be the king” – is it a political statement or religious – I’m guessing political)
Those Ruskies have such a great sense of humor. (lol)
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
How you doing on the shrimp recipes, PG?
I would like Westy to have at least 1 whole week at #1. Looks like he may do it. I’m not getting up at 3.00 a.m. to find out – but I’ll know when I arise late tomorrow.
Wendy
I did indeed get a shrimp recipe from a chef friend of one of our hosts.
Ingredients
24 large prawns
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1-2 small red chillies, very finely chopped
250 ml olive oil
60 g butter
2 tbps chopped parsley
Already tried it and it was “AWESOME” Not good with my heart condition though. lol
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
don’t forget – the olive oil, peppers, and garlic cancel out the butter. :-) (that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it)
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Jump...sounds good...I wrote it down
and will give it a try…A chef friend I talked to said to also try it with large sea scallops…My man at the gulf says shrimp still looking OK….STUB
For some reason this tastes even better in Spain
I suspect it’s because they use the cooking oil 20 times over!
I’ll do it next week when it’s my turn to cook however – brings back summer holidays.
done with critics...
Westwood has critics silent after this last 4 days, played a great game of golf, didn’t win, but with all the pressure of 3 top players chasing his #1, he held on and entertained us with good golf as well…
"If it doesn't work, you are trying to hard."
http://twitter.com/Roy_Ko
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Have a golf story tip? Contact editor Charles Boyer and he will follow the story! Thanks!
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
