Rory McIlroy will put his new world ranking stature to the test in this week’s defence of the Wells Fargo Championship.
As expected, McIlroy has moved to a career best of No. 6 in the world and ahead of boyhood idol, Tiger Woods who’s been bumped to No. 7.
It ensures Europe now boasts five of the World’s top six – Lee Westwood (1), Martin Kaymer (2), Luke Donald (3), Graeme McDowell (5) and McIroy (6).
Halting a complete European Tour domination is Phil Mickelson, who is currently ranked No. 4.
And with Paul Casey at No. 8, Europe can lay claim to six of the leading eight world ranked players.
Rory McIlroy with his 2010 Quail Hollow Championship victory trophy. (Pic - PGA Tour)
McIlroy finds himself the third highest world ranked player teeing up this week at Quail Hollow behind Kaymer and Mickelson but ahead of Casey and World No. 13 Dustin Johnson, who dropped two spots despite grabbing a share of fourth last week in Korea.
Also in the field is fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington who is among 17 Major champions who will tee up on the 2017 U.S. PGA Championship host venue.
McIlroy returns to the course after producing a scintillating career best 62 to win the Quail Hollow Championship and now backed by Wells Fargo.
The young Irishman grabbed a new course record for his first and still only PGA Tour success just days short of his 21st birthday.
Unlike the last time McIlroy was in the States, he came from behind in North Carolina to relegate Mickelson into second spot by four shots with Cabrera, Rickie Fowler, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan all playing minor support roles.
McIlroy has had a fortnight’s break since losing both the Masters and the Maybank Malaysian Open and will be looking to bury any lingering demons by successfully defending the title.
But it would seem the biggest concern for McIlroy in the lead-up to the event will be putting a cap on any comment about going past Woods on the rankings.
In recent years, McIlroy has got off on the wrong foot with ‘criticism’ of the former long-time World No. 1.
Meantime –
Scotland’s Elliott Saltman returns to the European Tour at this week’s Spanish Open having served a three-month ban for cheating.
Saltman was side-lined from competition after an extra-ordinary meeting during January’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
However Saltman’s eligibility criteria meant he missed just one tournament and that was last week’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
But Saltman elected not to travel to Seoul because he had trouble getting a visa.
And with many still suggesting Saltman should have received a lengthier ban, the big question mark now hanging over this week’s Spanish Open in Barcelona is who will the Tour group with the Scot for the opening two rounds?
Whoever are the duo, they’re certain to be watching Saltman like a hawk.
