5 Golfers You’d Never Guess Are Ranked Higher Than Tiger Woods
As Tiger Woods' approaches the two-year anniversary of his last win on the PGA Tour, the former world number one continues to slide further and further down the Official World Golf Rankings.
With the rankings based on a two year "rolling" points system, it makes sense that Woods has plummeted down the list since winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at the beginning of August in 2013. Since that victory, he's competed in just 16 tournaments while dealing with a number of injuries. Even worse, he's finished in the top 25 just five times.
After a T69 finish at THE PLAYERS Championship, Woods sits at No. 140 in the world rankings. That's his lowest spot on the list since being ranked No. 225 during his first month as a professional in 1996. Unless Woods can regain some form, this ranking might even drop further. He has a win, a top 5, a top 10, and a top 15 finish that will drop off his points total by September.
While Woods is still widely regarded as one of the best players on Tour when he tees it up, the rankings paint a different picture. Just to give you an idea of how far he's fallen, we picked out five guys you never would have predicted to pass Woods in the rankings.
- 1
Romain Wattel
Ranked 108thWhile still very young at 24, Wattel doesn't own a single win on the European or PGA Tours. However, he has claimed three top 10s around the world this year, which has propelled him 32 spots in front of Woods. The Frenchman has yet to compete in a major championship.
- 2
Prom Meesawat
Ranked 126thThe 30-year-old from Thailand has played the majority of his career on the Asian Tour. Both his wins came during Asian Tour events - the most recent in 2014 - but he has never won on the European Tour. Meesawat's only major appearance was a missed cut in the 2011 Open Championship.
- 3
Hennie Otto
Ranked 133rdThe South African, who once 6-putted a green during a tournament, now has bragging rights on Tiger. Otto has enjoyed a long professional career but only made the cut at one major (2003 Open Championship). A European Tour win in 2014 is carrying his world ranking.
- 4
Eddie Pepperell
Ranked 134thThe 24-year-old might not have a European Tour win to his credit yet, but he does have a great name and a well-written blog. He also has a better world ranking than Woods despite only one finish inside the top 40 on the European Tour this year. Pepperell's busy 2014 schedule (27 starts and six top 10 finishes) has helped him accumulate points.
- 5
Fabrizio Zanotti
Ranked 135thHe might not show up among the first Google results for 'Fabrizio' but the 31-year-old is still holding strong ahead of Tiger. The Paraguayan won his first European Tour event last summer but has suffered a bit of misfortune since. He was knocked unconscious by a wayward golf shot last September and hasn't finished inside the top 85 on the European Tour this calendar year.