In the Rough

With Tiger Woods now getting nearer to full fitness and saying in a recent interview he is only a couple of weeks off a full swing, the golfing world is starting to wonder whether he will be back at his best and if he will still be world number one?

One thing is for sure though when Tiger Woods does return the media attention will be massive and his first few events will be eagerly watched by millions of people with their eye on the man himself.

The 2008 season has ended with Woods only 4.06 points ahead in the World rankings, which is a big difference compared to the 11.3 points he was ahead when he got injured.

If a few players currently in the top few positions have a strong start to the season before Woods return they could either close the gap significantly or become World number one themselves. The players who will be looking for a good start to the season are Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington and possibly Vijay Singh.

The 2009 golf season promises to bring a lot of excitement with the return of Tiger Woods and the immergence of players like Rory McIlroy and Camillo Villegas.

However will 2009 see a new World Golf Number One?

With the current top 50 in the latest world rankings all qualifying for this year’s Augusta Championship it proved vital for some good performances at the South African Open and the Chevron World Challenge.

Still leading the way in the current list is World Number one Tiger Woods with an average points worth of 12.27, Spain’s Sergio Garcia is in second with American Phil Mickelson in third. Making up the top five is Padraig Harrington and Vijay Singh. Singh had a good weekend with a win at the Chevron World Challenge, where he beat Steve Stricker by a stroke.

England’s Lee Westwood moves into the top ten after his third place at the South African Open. Also in the top ten is Henrik Stenson, Camillo Villegas, Robert Karlsson and Ernie Els.

Also in the World Top 50 and playing at Augusta are Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey.

McIlroy who only turned pro 15 months ago moved ten places in the latest world rankings from 50th to 40th after another good performance at the South African Open where he narrowly missed out on another play-off.

The 2009 European Tour calendar see’s a couple of changes one being the Madeira Islands Open.

For the 2009 event the Madeira Islands Open will be played on the Seve Ballesteros designed golf course Porto Santo Golf, this is on the little Island of Porto Santo. The course itself has stunning views and climbs up and around the basalt cliffs.

The Porto Santo Island is part of the Madeira Islands and is between Portugal and Africa.

The course has a unique hole at the 13th where golfers will be teeing up to play over a gorge and water. Personally this has disaster written all over it and a lot of lost golf balls!!

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington has picked up the Golf Writers Trophy for 2008 after his brilliant two major wins during the year.

By winning the award this year Harrington has become only the third person ever to win it back to back. Harrington picked up the trophy last year for his first major win but then went on to better it in 2008 with two major wins.

The only other two people to win the Golf Writers Award two years running is Peter Oosterhuis in 1973/1974 and Tony Jacklin 1969/1970.

Padraig Harrington also won the American Golf Writers Player of the Year which broke a three year winning streak for World Number one Tiger Woods.

World Number golfer Tiger Wood’s caddie has launched an attack on American golfer Phil Mickelson.

Steve Williams who has been a caddie to Tiger Woods for many years and is one of Tiger’s closest friends in the golfing world and outside was at a charity event when his comments reached the national press.

New Zealander Williams was asked about Phil Mickelson to which he responded “I wouldn’t call Mickelson a great player, because I hate the prick.”

There has been rumours for many years that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson don’t get along and it would seem now that Steve Williams and Mickelson don’t get along either after his comments.

Woods and Mickelson show a good respect for each other but that is it. Woods has responded to the comments calling them “inappropriate” and has said he “dealt with the matter internally”.

World number one golfer Tiger Woods is the again the top earner amongst the Sports game for 2008.

Woods who hasn’t played since his injury in the middle of the year earned himself $91 million in 2008 from prize money and endorsements from sponsors such as Nike.

At number two in the money list for 2008 is again a golfer with world number two Phil Mickelson taking the spot with $49.5 million in 2008.

Making up the top three with a big wage from LA Galaxy, endorsements from Pepsi and Adidas and also ranges of perfume / sunglasses is former England captain David Beckham.

Also to make to the top five is boxer Oscar De La Hoya and formula one driver Kimi Raikkonen.

Former racing driver Michael Schumacher is still earning $36 million a year even though he retired a couple years ago from the sport.

Another retired player still earning mega money a year is legend Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan still has plenty of sponsors and clothing ranges out there he is earning money off.

Former world number one tennis player Rodger Federer earns $35 million a year.

Another Basketball player to make it into the top ten is Kobe Bryant who earns a very healthy $33 million a year.

Completing the top ten is Shaquille O’Neal and footballer Ronaldinho who both made $32 million in 2008.

Tiger Woods $91 Million

Phil Mickelson $49.5 Million

David Beckham $47.5 Million

Oscar De La Hoya $43 Million

Kimi Raikkonen $40 Million

Michael Schumacher $36 Million

Michael Jordan $35.5 Million

Roger Federer $35 Million

Kobe Bryant $33 Million

Shaquille O’Neal and Ronaldinho $32 Million

American golfer has again proved he is the bad boy on tour.

During his first round, which was a disastrous 78 Daly hit a wayward shot into the rough.

As he was taking a drop shot a spectator came within six inches of his face and took a snap of the golfer.

With etiquette thrown out the window John Daly grabbed the camera and threw it against the tree. He then proceeded to shout “You want it back, i’ll buy you a new one”.

After his poor year on tour last year Daly is been paid appearance fee’s rather than a normal invite. In the last two events he missed the cuts and in this event he looks like doing the same, however for entertainment value Daly is the worth the appearance fee personally.

Former US Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin is set to be named the US Ryder Cup Captain for the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales.

The 49 Year old is set to replace Paul Azinger after he announced he would not be leading the team in the defence of the Trophy.

Pavin himself has played in three Ryder cups for the US and was part of the last victorious team to win in Europe at The Belfry in 1993.

Pavin also has experience as a Ryder Cup vice captain after he assisted Tom Lehman at the K Club in 2002.

Europe are also due to announce their Ryder Cup Captain with former Masters Champion Jose Maria Olazabal the favourite for the job.