Next US #1 in the World?

[iacas]

Share your reasoning for your vote in a comment.

(Players in the poll are the top nine players from the USA.)

[PhilsRHman]

I voted for Tiger. I still believe that once things click, he'll be might successful again. Maybe not winning 5-6 times a year, but at this point, winning 2-3 times and a whole bunch of solid finishes would be enough for anyone to grab the No. 1. I'd say he's got the best shot. If there's one reason I can see that he won't, it's that he's simply not playing enough, not taking advantage of soft fields (hello, Lee Westwood having his way with a bunch of players in Indonesia).

[newtogolf]

From a numbers perspective I think Phil has the best shot.  It could be a while before he or anyone from the US takes #1 unless the Europeans totally tank.

[inthehole]

Kuchar has the tools & wouldn't surprise me if he pulls it together

[sean_miller]

I voted other because he hasn't been born yet - HAHAHAHAHA ...... HAHAHAHA . .   aaaah.  Good times.

[Kieran123]

Tiger.

He showed us at the masters he can still run with the best, and although it was a course he could play blindfolded, there were A LOT of other guys there that have played it just as much, but didn't play like he did. He had some great shots in his bag ( ie. the HUGE 40 yard hook around the trees ). He had some fist pumping going on, some big recovery shots etc....Tiger of old

Lackluster back 9 on Sunday, but looked good.

It will be interesting to see his next few tourneys to see if he is really playing better.

I think the young guys are good, but you never see the fire and the passion in them like you do with Tiger, even now at age 35, he looks like he wants it more.

Kuchar is probably the worst of the lot.....guy never gets amped up

[JoeC36]

Bubba is my guy so i had to give a nod to him.

[boogielicious]

I voted Tiger because he will recover his form.  I would certainly like to see others make it, but they need to be more consistent.  Tiger is currently sixth I believe and he's played half the tournaments as the other top 5 in the last two years.

[Double Bogey]

I voted tiger for the same reasons listed above.  He is too good to totally lose it.  In my opinion he just needs to play more tournaments.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Double Bogey

I voted tiger for the same reasons listed above.  He is too good to totally lose it.  In my opinion he just needs to play more tournaments.

The top guys have quite an advantage once they're well inside the top 50. They can pick and choose their schedule, skip courses where they don't play well, take weeks off whenever they're tired, work on every aspect of their game during relaxed practice sessions while the lesser guys are grinding out scores with their B or C games.

It's hard not to be impressed by the level of excellence Tiger achieved for a decade. he was a true #1, but the guys now? When was the last time someone you saw someone had a dominating season that guys like Tiger, Tom Watson, Jack, Lee, Vijay, Nick, Seve, and Greg used to have. Right now there is no true number one.

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

The top guys have quite an advantage once they're well inside the top 50. They can pick and choose their schedule, skip courses where they don't play well, take weeks off whenever they're tired, work on every aspect of their game during relaxed practice sessions while the lesser guys are grinding out scores with their B or C games.

It's hard not to be impressed by the level of excellence Tiger achieved for a decade. he was a true #1, but the guys now? When was the last time someone you saw someone had a dominating season that guys like Tiger, Tom Watson, Jack, Lee, Vijay, Nick, Seve, and Greg used to have. Right now there is no true number one.

I wonder if that's because there are so many good players now, or because they lack the hunger

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

I wonder if that's because there are so many good players now, or because they lack the hunger

Both. There are some really great players out there, but not too many finishers. Some guys can do it for a week here or there, but week after week? Not too many. Snedeker looked like the best golfer on the planet last Sunday. What's he going to do next week?  I like Snedeker, but does someone like that have the staying power?

Also, why do they need to be hungy now? Dustin Johnson has about 4 wins, none of them majors,  and he's probably set for life.

[Aquaguru]

I think Tiger will regain #1 by the end of the year.  A good showing at the Masters is only the start of whats to come.  He will win a major this year and 2 other events.  He will need some bad play from the Euros but I think 3 wins for Tiger will do it.

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Both. There are some really great players out there, but not too many finishers. Some guys can do it for a week here or there, but week after week? Not too many. Snedeker looked like the best golfer on the planet last Sunday. What's he going to do next week?  I like Snedeker, but does someone like that have the staying power?

Also, why do they need to be hungy now? Dustin Johnson has about 4 wins, none of them majors,  and he's probably set for life.

Very good points. No players follow up their performances very much. Watney is maybe the exception, a lot of top 10s and a win this year, but a lot of top 10's aren't wins. What was Tiger's stats? Something like 40% of tournaments he entered he won, no one near that now.

And I guess it is true about the money they make, maybe that offsets the hunger to win more ( if players really only care about coin ).

[Acropo]

I voted Kuchar. He has accumulated more points this year than any other US player in the Top 20, he has fewer points from last year to lose and his putting is currently very, very good.

But in reality I think it's going to be a while before there is another US number 1 - the European players in the Top 10 are too numerous and too good to all tank at once. IMHO, the squabble for No 1 is going to be between Europeans for several months - although Schwartzl and Jason Day may jump in and spoil that party. For an alternative insight, have a look at this: http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/tragedy-as-21-year%11old-earns-%C2%A378%2c000-for-four-days-work-201104113706/

Anyone who is disappointed that Lee Westwood has reclaimed top spot, rather than Luke Donald, shouldn't blame the system, or Lee for playing in a championship so dull even he had difficulty keeping interested, or Luke for using the wrong bl**dy club on his approach to 18 three times in succession. They should hold Brandt Snedeker entirely responsible. It was his fault. How dare someone so far down the rankings play the round of his life and spoil everyone's fun and sense of schadenfreude? I mean, weren't we all looking forward to going 'nyah, nyah, nyah!' at Lee when Luke snatched the prize from his grasp?

I think he should be taken out and publicy flogged.

[golfismyworld]

I'm surprised with the overwhelming Tiger votes he was my second pick but I voted for phil I would love to see him not only win more tournaments but also take the lead as #1 golfer-not sure he will be the next but it would be great to see

[walk18]

Well now Tiger's injured again, so between always being hurt and hardly playing anyway, I don't know that we'll see any american #1 soon. Does Tiger know he's playing golf and not football?

[kpaulhus]

I chose Steve Stricker. IDK why. He just seems to play so well when he does play. To think he climbed so quickly up the rankings a year or two ago makes me believe he can do it again.