Tiger Woods Falls From No. 1 But Who Replaces Him?

Sotogrande, Cadiz, Spain (AHN) – It’s been a great run for Tiger Woods.

He’s been at the top of the golf charts for nearly six years. Top dog, Numero Uno.

Woods will be dropping in the World Golf Rankings come Monday and either England’s Lee Westwood or Germany’s Martin Kaymer will take his place, at least for a week.

“Lee Westwood is number one as far as I’m concerned,” Kaymer said as he prepared for this week’s Valderrama Masters on the European Tour. But when faced with the proposition that he could take over Woods’ sacred spot, Kaymer said matter-of-factly, “I wouldn’t mind that either.”

Kaymer can become No. 1 with a victory on Sunday, a solo second place finish or a tie for second with only one other player. If those scenarios don’t pan out for the reigning PGA Champion at the Club de Golf Valderrama, then it will be Westwood, who is still recovering from a bum ankle.

Whoever takes the top spot, however, could have a very short stay there.

Woods, Phil Mickelson, Kaymer and Westwood, if his ankle permits, will all play in the HSBC Championship next week in Shanghai, China. If one of those four claims victory there, it would mean a jump into the top spot.

The last time the golfing world saw Woods, he was red-hot in his singles match at the Ryder Cup as he came up with seven birdies and an eagle en route to a romp over Francesco Molinari. Which means Woods could be a major factor in Shanghai and come up with his first win of the 2010 season.

“My game’s coming around and so the way I played at the Ryder Cup and then hopefully I know I have two more events prior to the Chevron. Hopefully I can get two more W’s before I get to the Chevron,” Woods said two weeks ago at a press conference for his tournament at the end of November.

It sounds like he’s serious about winning again and winning again as soon as next week.

But in the meantime, he’ll have to look up at either Westwood or Kaymer in his old spot, the top spot.

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