New World No. 1 Tiger Woods received some 30 text messages and phone calls in the short time between winning an eighth Arnold Palmer Invitational and visiting the Media Centre here at Bay Hill.
Most messages were from very close friends and staff members.
However there was one message or call that Woods hadn’t received but was expecting to reach his mobile phone and that was from new World No. 1 Rory McIlroy
Woods said: “No, not yet. But I’m sure to expect a call.”
Victory in the event interrupted by a tornado mid-afternoon Sunday has seen Woods end an 872-day absence as the game’s top player since October 30th, 2010 and with four players, all European in Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and McIlroy trading places for the No. 1 ranking.
McIlroy held the leading reins for 204 days since winning last August’s PGA Championship, and must now win this week’s Shell Houston Open to unseat Woods before the year’s first Major.
And Woods thumbed his nose as those sceptics suggesting that until Woods wins that illusive 15th Major he will not be fully recognised as the game’s best player.
“It’s their opinion but I know I am very pleased with the way I am playing and enough of that,” he said.
Tiger Woods and tournament host, Arnold Palmer enjoying the occasion. (Photo – www.pgatour.com(
