The OWGR Top 10 Reflects an Era Gone By & Golf's Future

Nearly two months into 2010, we currently have a rather diverse top ten in the Official World Golf Rankings.  Figured it was worth it to spend a few lines looking at the top ten, their makeup, and how they got here.

For one thing, there are officially more Europeans in the top ten of the OWGR than every other continent combined.  No Australians.  No (South) Africans.  No one from Asia.  

That's very retro for a game that has been exhibiting signs of multinationalism for some time.  Two of the reigning major champions are from South America and Asia.  Winners come from six continents now - still waiting for that penguin champion from Antarctica - but a whole lot of Caucasian in the top ten.

About half of the top ten is there today because of an outstanding beginning to the season.  Case and point, Ian Poulter has earned almost 80 more points than he has last so far over the roving 104 week measuring period.  By the same token, Martin Kaymer, Paul Casey and Steve Stricker have had serious point gains.

Conversely, players that earned their high standing throughout 2009 are hanging onto their points despite less than optimal starts to 2010.  Rory McIlroy has played well in '10 despite a back injury, but has barely recouped enough points to counterbalance what he has lost so far this season.  Paddy Harrington is slipping behind quickly, as is Jim Furyk, whose Chevron World Challenge in December is the only reason he is in the top ten right now.

Perhaps the most interesting comparison among guys not named after an animal is the debate between Steve Stricker and Phil Mickelson as to who is the real de facto world number one while Tiger Woods is away from the game.  The numbers clearly show that it is Stricker who is surging.

Despite Stricker and Poulter charging hard to start the season, though, neither player has earned as many points as Tiger Woods has lost this season.  In spite of that kind of tumble, Woods still holds a four point advantage over Stricker.