click here for the latest world golf rankings.. http://www.officialworldgolfranking.com/rankings/default.sps?region=world
In the Monday morning aftermath of Rory's coronation as the world's #1, and a vintage Sunday charge by Tiger Woods 62 and lost in the shuffle Lee Westwood's 63, the future of the men's pro game is very bright indeed.
Somehow Luke Donald who was the man with his incredible 2011, didn't stir the imagination of fans in North America, and while he was treated with the utmost respect from the media, it was more like " what a great year Luke Donald is having, and congrats on the birth of his new daughter... now to Tiger.."
Rory at 22 is much more appealing to the American public and media, winning the US Open as he did, blowing the Masters as he did, his breathtaking swing, prodigious length, world #2 beautiful tennis star girlfriend...We are all at the start of the next era in golf, but it won't ever be as dominant as it was in Tiger's prime.. but that makes it more exciting.
Here's my look from the World rankings, at some of the guys we are going to enjoy competing against Rory for years to come..
#2 Luke Donald... will never have another season like 2011, but he has shown us all what a worthy top 5 player he is.
#3 Lee Westwood.. at 37, fit as a fiddle, full of confidence playing anywhere in the world, he has nothing left to prove except that he can win a major, and that starts again in 4 weeks at Augusta.
#7 Jason Day.. at 22 will have many a clash with Rory for years to come. He has all the tools, another young gun..
#8 Dustin Johnson.. is just ridiculously talented, and if he ever gets really determined there will be weeks when he is unbeatable. Only 27.
#9 Charl Schwartzel .. is already a Masters champion, and is the real deal also only 27, this South African will compete with Rory around the world for years.
#12 Phil Mickelson may be 42 now but is far from done as he just displayed at Pebble and Riviera, it will be intriguing to see the old guard taking on Rory and the kids for a few more years
# 16 Tiger Woods... enough said... WGC at Doral this week... Bay Hill in a 3 weeks if Tiger plays, Rory has said he will,.. then Augusta.. and that's just the start..
#36 Rickie Fowler... once his game starts to match his clothes look out... He's exciting, he's damn good and he is another 24 year old.. They will battle at the Ryder Cup for years..
# 42 Bae Sang moon.. 22 year old Korean, along with #39 KT Kim and others to come that will take the torch from #21 KJ Choi as SKorea, China, Japan ( #53 Ryo Ishikawa ), Malaysia, Thailand all continue to become big time players on the world stage during the upcoming Rory dynasty...
#62 Matteo Manessero.. this Italian star is only 19, and is truly special, mature beyond his years as Mike Weir said after a practice round with him as a 16 year old at the Masters
Other young American stars like Harris English 22, Patrick Cantley 20, are just starting their pro stories, Tom Lewis 21 is already the European tour Rookie of the Year and I could go on and on.
Rory's win yesterday and his brand new world #1 status along with Tiger's resurgence have certainly given this 2012 season a real shot in the arm, but when you look at the bigger picture, the future... it is very rosy indeed
Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles and at http://www.isr1050.com/
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