They are 1-2 in the world order and the computer probably has it correct: Rory McIlroy remains ahead of Tiger Woods in the Official World Golf Ranking.
After Woods' victory Monday at Torrey Pines, he remains No. 2 with a rankings points average of 9.28. McIlroy is at 12.43. Woods is well clear of No. 3 Luke Donald (7.94).
Debate it all you want, but here’s a good reason why McIlroy sits on top: His wins have been of better quality than Woods’.
The Official World Golf Ranking assigns every pro tournament a rating based on a formula that takes into account strength of field and the collection of “home” players. If you take the nine tournaments McIlroy and Woods have combined to win since Jan. 1, 2012, the three highest-rated tournaments on that list sit in McIlroy’s win column: The PGA (923 rating), Deutsche Bank Championship (727), and BMW Championship (660). Woods’ win at the Memorial (606) is next, then comes another McIlroy win, the DP World Tour Championship (445).
Woods’ win at Bay Hill (411) and McIlroy’s triumph at the Honda Classic (327) had less depth top to bottom, but the weakest of all was the AT&T National last July. Woods won that one, though it had just a 289 rating.
The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines (292) was only slightly stronger.
