It’s now just over a week before Rory McIlroy returns to competition but already his rivals have the knives out for his World No. 1 ranking.
The four-time Major winner will tee-up on January 15th in the 10th anniversary Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship having been atop of the rankings for 23 weeks and for a career total of 64 weeks.
And at the end of this week McIlroy will become the fourth leading World No. 1 of all time and surpassing the late Seve Ballasteros who was the world’s top golfer for a total of 61 weeks over a three-year period from late 1986, when the rankings first commenced, to mid-1989.
But while McIlroy stands top of the pile at the start of 2015 there is plenty all ready to cut the Ulsterman down to size.
One of those is Australia’s Jason Day.
Picture caption: ‘Now Rory? You might be the World No. 1 but you’re only keeping the seat warm till I dethrone you’, says Aussie Jason Day. (Photo – gettyimages)
The present World No. 8 went to the festive season break on the back of victory in the Greg Norman hosted Franklin Templeton and as the 27-year continues to relax with his young family in suburban Columbus, Ohio Day promised McIlroy he’s only keeping the World No. 1 seat warm.
“Being ranked Number one in the world is something I have always been talking about and something that I do want to achieve in my career,” said Day.
“To be able to call yourself Number One in the world, and the best in the world, has to be the goal of any sportsperson at any one point in sporting life.
“With the way Jordan (Spieth) played the end of last year and the way Rickie (Fowler) and what Rory achieved last year, and even Scotty (Adam Scott) and how well he played back home in Australia last month means I am going to have to work that much harder.
“But I am going to try to be as smart as possible now that we’re into 2015, and that means I am going to make an effort to talk to guys who have been World No. 1 for a long time, and guys like Tiger (Woods) and Greg (Norman).
“So I will be out to soak-up as much as I can from talking to guys like Tiger and Greg because getting to World No. 1 is a very big goal of mine.”
McIlroy’s already enjoyed a rivalry with Woods and he’s seen off recent challenges by Henrik Stenson (current No. 2), Adam Scott (No. 3), Bubba Watson (No. 4) and Sergio Garcia (No. 5).
And when you add Justin Rose (No. 6) and Jim Furyk (No. 7) there is six players behind McIlroy and in front of Day, aged well into the thirties and with Furky now 44.
The closest in age on the World Rankings to McIlroy is Day.
Cameron Tringale and Jason Day savour victory in the 2104 Franklin Templeton Shootout. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“Rory and I have a very good friendship off the golf course but then as I now head into 2015 I am hoping it turns into more than a friendship,” said Day.
“That’s what golf needs as we start a New Year and whether it’s Rory and myself or Rory and Jordan or all of us against each other because whatever will happen it will be good for golf.
“So with the likes of Rory atop of the rankings and with Jordan playing so well along with Rickie and then myself, and with all of us in our twenties, then all does go well for the game.
“It should then a great next five to 10 years.”
MEANTIME
McIlroy has made his way back to the now familiar pre-season practice facilities of the Els Clubs in Dubai where he has been joined by long-time coach Michael Bannon.
McIlroy will spend the week working on his game ahead of taking the one hour’s drive south to Abu Dhabi and the first event of a seventh full year in the pro ranks.
