Martin Kaymer, we hardly knew ye. After reaching the top of the Official World Golf Rankings in February, Kaymer is out and Lee Westwood — who Sunday celebrated his 38th birthday by winning the Indonesian Masters — is the world’s No. 1 golfer. Again.
Already the boo-birds are out. They’re reminding us that Westwood surpassed Tiger Woods in November without ever capturing a major championship and dethroned Kaymer with a three-stroke win over Thongchai Jaidee and other immortals in Jakarta. Then, Luke Donald, who would have snatched the crown for himself with a victory Sunday at the Heritage lost a playoff to Brandt Snedeker at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Donald is also major-less, a fact not lost on Nick Faldo. “Nothing at all against @Luke_Donald– @WestwoodLee as #1-that’s the system-but I think system should give extra points for a Major win,” tweeted @TheSirNickFaldo before the final round at Harbour Town Golf Links.
The BBC’s Iain Carter begged to differ with Faldo and other critics of the OWGR. Carter pointed out that the system does offer extra credit for majors and you may read his column for the details of how the rankings machinations work. Just don’t get too bogged down in who’s on first because, with Woods just another golfer these days, the top spot is bound to change hands a half-dozen times before you can say “Official World Golf Rankings.”
