Stricker ranks #3 in world now- can he get to 2?

[darktone]

1 Tiger Woods, USA 19.22
2 Phil Mickelson, USA 8.55
3 Steve Stricker, USA 6.90
4 Jim Furyk, USA 6.59
5 Ernie Els, Zaf 6.41
6 Justin Rose, Eng 5.92
7 Adam Scott, Aus 5.69
8 Padraig Harrington 5.47
9 K.J. Choi, Kor 5.10
10 Vijay Singh, Fji 5.07


A win at Sony this week would make things look pretty interesting.

[Lemay427]

if he has another year like he ended last year i believe he can. i dont know how the points deal works but i believe he will play better than phil

[FIJIGolf23]

if he has another year like he ended last year i believe he can. i dont know how the points deal works but i believe he will play better than phil

I agree there.

[naples golf18]

i hope he does guy, i hate phil... but stricker is a very consistent player, he can do it.

[neudi]

I want Furyk and Stricker to give Tiger a run for his money ;), most likely won't happen, but it is awesome watching these guys play well again.

[darktone]

I don't think catching Tiger is a realalistic goal for any golfer. Maybe beating him at a single tournament but he is so far above the field in the world rank. I bet Tiger could come in last place all this year and still be ranked #1.

[Big_M]

Phil is the ONLY golfer who can go head to head with Tiger when Tiger is on. Phil will remain #2, unless he gets hurt.

Don't get me wrong... I'm not saying Phil is as good as Tiger, but he is better than all the other challengers, although Furyk is a little more consistent.

[themasteroncbs]

I don't think we'll be seeing a change at numbers one and two for quite awhile. Tiger will probably be number one for many years to come, and Phil is evidently going to be in the greatest shape of his life along with a much more consistent swing, so I don't see him reliquinshing number two for at least the next couple of years. I just think everyone else is playing for third now as far as the world rankings are concerned. Even if someone else does get to number 2 I doubt it will be Stricker, he just isn't a particulary good closer, and he just seems to let the nerves get the best of him when in contention.

[Ben]

I think Stricker has reached his pinnacle at #3. Tiger will remain on the top for years to come. I think Furyk take over #2 bumping Phil to 3rd. And by year's end Rose will take over at #4.

[darktone]

I think Tiger being #1 is pretty much set in stone but Phil is not that much above the rest in the rankings. Stricker wins the Sony and makes a couple more top fives and in his next few starts and it will be pretty close. I like Furyk too but I see Stricker finishing better in the Sony.

[Chilidipper]

I think Stricker has reached his pinnacle at #3. Tiger will remain on the top for years to come. I think Furyk take over #2 bumping Phil to 3rd. And by year's end Rose will take over at #4.

Very nice post I think what you said could very well happen. I am hoping Mahan and Cabrera push through the rankings a bit. I can see Furyk jumping to number 2 and Phil dropping to 3. I can't see Stricker making a strong push to number 2.

[mikelz]

I agree there.

1 Tiger Woods, USA 19.22

A win this week would set up a points showdown. Maybe he'll do it.

I think it's better than 50-50 he goes ahead of Phil this year. I don't know if he stays there because it's golf. I think Stricker went from off-the-tour to number 3 in about two years. I'm impressed.

[r7 425]

I dont think Stricker can. hes had a fairy tale ride so far. Hes come out of nowhere--honestly i forgot who he was then i hear hes like 2nd or 3rd in the world and i couldnt believe it. I think Nick Flanagan and jason Day will pass him soon--i can see Flanagan and Day possibly winning twice this year on tour because everyone knows the Nationwide Tour is basically the same as the PGA Tour as far as skill level

[darktone]

I dont think Stricker can. hes had a fairy tale ride so far. Hes come out of nowhere--honestly i forgot who he was then i hear hes like 2nd or 3rd in the world and i couldnt believe it. I think Nick Flanagan and jason Day will pass him soon--i can see Flanagan and Day possibly winning twice this year on tour because everyone knows the Nationwide Tour is basically the same as the PGA Tour as far as skill level

I don't know about the skill level being the same on the Nationwide tour as the PGA tour..........

[mstuk]

you may as well rename the world rankings the US tour PGA rankings because Steve Stricker the third best player in the world is nowhere near accurate.

[golf_junkie27]

1 Tiger Woods, USA 19.22

The rankings really baffle me. K.J. Choi is ninth and he won more events last year than Ernie Els, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker. He also finished in the top 10 and top 25 than any of them. How is he ranked below these guys? I realize that the difference is not that great but I just don't understand considering his 2007 was much better than all of them.

I don't know how to answer the question, since the points system baffles me. I do believe that a healthy Mickelson vs a healthy Stricker is not even close. Phil is just a better golfer, period.

[golf_junkie27]

1 Tiger Woods, USA 19.22

Are these OGWR stats? I just looked at the OGWR for 2007. KJ Choi was 7th. Adam Scott was 8th. Padraig Harrington was 9th. Vijay Singh was 11th.

[mikelz]

The rankings really baffle me. K.J. Choi is ninth and he won more events last year than Ernie Els, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker. He also finished in the top 10 and top 25 than any of them. How is he ranked below these guys? I realize that the difference is not that great but I just don't understand considering his 2007 was much better than all of them.

I picked Stricker to have a good season because he's back. I have followed him since he went on tour in 1990. He's had injury and health problems that set him back. I don't know how good he really is in the grand scheme. I am pretty sure this is how he got so high in the world rankings. He did what some "better" players wouldn't last year. He played in every FedEx playoff event and finished near the top in all of them. Winnings over the last three years: YearW$$$$$ Rank 20050 397,640 162 200601,811,811 34(Comeback player of the year) 200714,663,077 4 (Comeback player of the year AGAIN) That's a pretty positive trend.