For the first time in his short pro career Rory Mcllroy is set to go ahead boyhood idol Tiger Woods in the world rankings.
When the rankings are updated tomorrow morning (MON), Mcllroy will move to No. 6 in the world and Woods will slump even further to No. 7.
Up until last October, Woods reigned the world unchallenged for 281 weeks before Lee Westwood became the world’s top ranked player.
The crestfallen American hasn’t been as high as No. 7 in the world since the week before winning the 1997 Masters by a dozen shots.
And Woods stills seeks a first victory anywhere in the world since capturing the 2009 Australian Masters.
But while McIlroy overtakes Woods on the rankings, the young Northern Irishman has a lot more to do if he’s to catch Woods in terms of tournament victories and winnings.
Woods European Tour earnings alone amount to Euro 41m compared to McIlroy’s Euro 6.4m
Aside from his 14 Major Championship wins, Woods has captured 24 European Tour sanctioned events, 42 PGA Tour and other international events.
That’s more victories than any other active golfer.
McIlroy has won just two and while he defends his PGA Tour win shortly, he is still without a win in Europe since capturing the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic.
It was only six years ago when a besotted McIlroy got a first close-up look at Woods.
Organisers of the Dubai Desert Classic offered an invitation to McIlroy to compete in the event.
McIlroy had been out in the morning half of the draw and with Woods out in the afternoon, the then 16-year old McIlroy offered to carry an official photographer’s long lens just to be inside the ropes and close to Woods.
McIlroy finished the leading amateur that year but was grossly disappointed when Woods ended outside of the top-three that ruled out a place at the victory ceremony.
Fast forward to last year’s Ryder Cup and McIlroy’s now taking jabs at Woods especially after the American had to rely on a Wales ‘wildcard’ pick.
“I would love to face him (Woods) and unless his game rapidly improves, I think anyone in the European Team would fancy their chances against him,” said McIlroy.
Then there was McIlroy’s remarks earlier this year when he commented ‘Tiger’s playing like an ordinary golfer’ that created another storm
It prompted Westwood to respond: “That’s the answer a 21-year old would give, isn’t it? I think having played with Tiger since 1997 there’s an old saying that class is permanent and form is fickle.
“Tiger’s the classiest player I’ve every player with and I’d be wide enough to know not to write him off.”
If McIlroy is guilty of anything it’s the way he gets his message across. He tries to mean well but just ends up with egg on his face.
It’s hoped when the rankings are released tomorrow that McIlroy remains diplomatic and rather than offer a comment, starts letting his clubs again do all the talking.
Meantime –
Heavy rain disputed the third round of the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
Two players – Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and Australia’s Brett Rumford – head the field at 10-under par but with nine third round holes still to play.
Welshman Rhys Davies was at eight under par after 10 holes and one clear of seven players including visiting American Dustin Johnson and Scotland’s Richie Ramsay.
World No. 1 Lee Westwood birdied his opening two holes but then put together 10 straight pars to be in a share of 11th place at six under par after 12 holes when play was halted.
