Banking on the Rankings

Mike Wilson reflects on the risers and fallers in the men’s global game and attempts to identify the modern-day greats

Dustin Johnson became the world number one golfer since February 2017

To date, only 20 men in the world of professional golf since the-then IMG boss Mark H McCormack introduced the result of a series of Byzantine, complicated mathematical calculation (now we know what he did during those interminable hours spent in the air) have been able to call themselves, ‘World number-one.’

Who’s next in line to halt the inexorable march of power-golfer Dustin Johnson at the top of the world and become the 21st holder of the coveted crown?

Of the runners and riders on endurance and durability, it would have to be Sergio García, a decade close to the summit. In practice, more probably relative newcomers, Justin Thomas or García’s compatriot John Rahm or Japanese youngster Hideki Matsuyama, who would, if successful, become the first Asian player in the 32-year history of the OWGR. Quite a feat if he can achieve that.

But, Greg Norman, #1 on the OWGR for 331 weeks over 11 spells in the midst of the most in-depth competitiveness in world golf; or Tiger Woods, 623 weeks across 10 spells covering 13 years, which of the two is – at least in terms of the OWGR – first amongst equals?

Probably Norman, based mainly on who else was around and interrupting his inexorable march to the top. But, let there be no doubt. If Woods, back now in the top-1,000 were to claw his way back to the summit of the sport, now that would be the greatest achievement not only in golf but in modern-day sport.

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