World #1 at the end of 2012?

[deasy55]

Not only was Luke the most consistent this year, he also had the most wins (4). He was consistently giving himself chances to win and he converted that into more wins than anyone else this season (or last season).

[Mr. Desmond]

I really think Tiger will approach #1 IF he plays.

But playing once every three weeks will not get it done.

Otherwise, I see Luke remaining at #1 mainly due to his consistency. No one has his consistency.

[BigBird]

I'd have to go with Luke. I think Tiger will start coming back into form soon, but Luke is just too solid to not perform consistently.

For me, this time next year, he will still be number 1 most likely.

[Chris Shades]

I like Donald allot, but he's gonna need to win more often to keep being #1. Mcilroy is gonna claim the #1 spot in 2012, and Tiger will be hot on the chase. In time Tiger will eventually reclaim #1 status from the clutches of Mcilroy.

[deasy55]

I keep seeing this but I honestly don't get it. He won more often than anyone else this season, surely winning more than anyone else is what a #1 does?

Originally Posted by Chris Shades

I like Donald allot, but he's gonna need to win more often to keep being #1.

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by deasy55

I keep seeing this but I honestly don't get it. He won more often than anyone else this season, surely winning more than anyone else is what a #1 does?

Number 1's are good for putting out campfires and melting snow.

[makaveli]

I think some people cannot stand Luke being the #1 ranked golfer in the world, that's why I keep on seeing people finding excuses to minimize what he just did (imho)

Originally Posted by deasy55

I keep seeing this but I honestly don't get it. He won more often than anyone else this season, surely winning more than anyone else is what a #1 does?

[Jmdmbike]

I went with Rory. I think he's going to have another big year. We'll see. Donald will make him earn it though.

[B-Con]

Luke's due to win a major, and I think he can. If he does, he'll probably keep #1 in the bag for the year. If not, well, some continued solid play could be enough. I'll vote for him, mostly because the other players up there don't exactly fill me with the same type of unshakable confidence. I think any of them could do it, but none of them have the same day-in day-out consistency vibe.

[LuciusWooding]

Also, I wish I could see Ryo Ishikawa in the top 10 next year; he is immensely talented but just hasn't made a statement yet. So far he's proven that he can make money and place well, but he's a bit shaky in big events and not as consistent as he could be. By the end of 2012, we might well be talking a bit more about him.

[michaeljames92]

If Luke is to win a major its probably going to be Augusta, where iron play and putting will be crucial. He'll be a disadvantage to the long hitters there though, due to the lack of rough usually present at the Masters.

[deasy55]

If Lee Westwood keeps his current December form going into the New Year it will be him again

[dolfinack]

Geez I dunno, I really can't see how anyone would overtake The Don this year coming. The world rankings are based on a rolling two-year average so he'll be good enough even if he just plays averagely. For the same reason I think even contemplating Tiger for the number one spot is crazy talk. His year has been poor, so he'd need to win everything he enters to even sniff it. And we all know he's going to be very, very streaky this year.

[inthehole]

Originally Posted by deasy55

If Lee Westwood keeps his current December form going into the New Year it will be him again

I would actually like to see this.   Not sure he has the consistency though ...

[Jmdmbike]

I went with Rory, but in seeing how they finished the season, also gotta like Lee W's chances. It's gonna be a close race between Luke D, Rory M and Lee W. Will be fun to watch!!

[Quinn07]

I really like Luke Donald, he has been one of my favorite players for a while and it's nice to see him finally winning.  However I picked Tiger, for the reason that he looked really good at the Chevron and he has had some more time to tinker with his game.  I think / hope that the PGA Tour is in for a bit of an awakening in 2012.  I predict Tiger get's one major if not two this coming year and at least two other wins and is vaulted back to the top and if not really close.

[newtogolf]

Points system makes it tough to predict, especially for someone like Tiger who's dropped so far.  I'd guess Luke or Rory would have the best chance to make #1 since they are already close to the top.  If Tiger stays healthy and can play like he did the past month I'd probably put some money on him to get up there just because the odds would make it interesting.

[rolopolo]

will be just about impossible for tiger to become #1 this year. he would have to win about 6 regular pga tourneys at least one would think

can see luke finishing top 4 just about every time he plays

westy's short game will keep him from staying at no1 for any good amount of time ever

kaymer a good chance, swing changes starting to pay off i think