Tiger Woods, despite a net “loss” of ranking points in 2001 compared with his outstanding 2000 season, still dominated the Official World Golf Ranking with six worldwide Ranking victories including the Players Championship, the WGC NEC Invitational and the Masters Tournament to become the first player to simultaneously hold all four Major Championships. Woods, who led the PGA TOUR Money List for the third consecutive year, was again the highest World Ranking points earner for the year and has now been No.1 for a record 124 successive weeks - a run that is bound to continue well into 2002 despite his lead being reduced from 17.75 to 6.51 points. Click Herefor this weeks rankings.
ALL FOUR 2001 MAJOR WINNERS IN WORLD TOP-10
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Tiger Woods, despite a net “loss” of ranking points in 2001 compared with his outstanding 2000 season, still dominated the Official World Golf Ranking with six worldwide Ranking victories including the Players Championship, the WGC NEC Invitational and the Masters Tournament to become the first player to simultaneously hold all four Major Championships. Woods, who led the PGA TOUR Money List for the third consecutive year, was again the highest World Ranking points earner for the year and has now been No.1 for a record 124 successive weeks - a run that is bound to continue well into 2002 despite his lead being reduced from 17.75 to 6.51 points.
Phil Mickelson finished second to Tiger Woods on the PGA TOUR for the second successive year and moved up two places to World No.2 with David Duval at No.3 after winning the Open Championship - his first “Major”. David Toms, winner of the PGA Championship and third on the PGA TOUR Money List, moved into the World Top-10 for the first time at No.7. Retief Goosen won the US Open and finished No.1 on the Volvo Order of Merit moved up to World No.10, ensuring that all four 2001 Major Champions finished the year in the World Top-10. Padraig Harrington andDarren Clarke who finished No.2 and 3 in Europe are now No’s 11 and 9 respectively in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Four players competed successfully on both sides of the Atlantic, notably Bernhard Langer, who had the highest gain in ranking points and finished No.6 in Europe and No.22 in the United States to move back into the World Top-50 at No.13. Others were Ernie Els, No.4 in Europe and No.15 in the US who is now No.4 in the World, Sergio Garcia, No.6 in the US and No.27 in Europe who has moved into the World Top-10 at No.6, and John Daly, whose win in Europe and consistent form in the United States made him the largest upward mover of the year up 456 places from 507th to 51st in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Toshimitsu Izawa finished top of the Japan Golf Tour Money List with five victories on the Tour to move up to World No.16 andShingo Katayama, No.2 in Japan and tied fourth in the PGA Championship, and Toru Taniguchi, No.5 in Japan and 3rd in the WGC Accenture Match Play, maintaining their World Top-50 status at No’s 37 and 48 respectively.
Apart from the 21-year old World No.6 Sergio Garcia, four other under 25 year-old’s made significant progress in 2001 – Charles Howell III moved from outside the Top-200 to No.45 in the World, Adam Scott also moved into the Top-50 at No.49, and new professionals Paul Casey and David Gossett moved into the Official World Golf Ranking Top-200 for the first time at No’s 92 and 104 respectively.
The next Official World Golf Ranking will be issued on January 7 2002 after the completion of the Mercedes Championships. Until then please accept our best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
