Scott topples Woods as world No. 1
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 20, 2014
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Adam Scott replaces Tiger Woods as No. 1 in the world. |
Adam Scott officially replaced Tiger Woods as world No. 1 golfer yesterday, ending the American's 60 week reign on the top of the rankings.
Scott, 33, is the first Australian to be world No. 1 since his boyhood hero Greg Norman, who spent 331 weeks in the position in the 1980s and ‘90s.
The 2013 Masters champion was inactive last week, but was already assured of taking top spot with Woods sidelined with a long-standing back problem.
Playing in the Byron Nelson Championship, American Matt Kuchar could also have moved ahead of Woods, but tied for seventh and had to settle for fourth spot in the rankings.
Scott has not won a tournament since his historic victory at Augusta National 13 months ago, but he has benefitted from the absence of Woods, who said recently he still does not know when he will return to competition following surgery on his back.
Woods returned to the top of the world rankings in March, 2013, taking over from Rory McIlory and he has been there ever since. The American has spent a total of 683 weeks as the world's best during the course of his career.
Scott becomes the 17th player to become world No. 1 since Germany's Bernhard Langer was the first in 1986.
Brendon Todd won the Byron Nelson Championship on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title, closing with a bogey-free 4-under 66 for a two-stroke victory over Mike Weir. It was the 77th career PGA Tour event for Todd. He earned US$1,242,000, a two-year PGA Tour exemption and a spot next year in the Masters.
"I'm excited about the relief like I finally have a chance to play the PGA Tour for multiple years," Todd said. "No. 1, going to Augusta for the Masters is a dream come true."
Todd finished at 14-under 266. He took the lead for good with birdies at Nos. 9 and 10, and went on to become the eighth first-time winner this season. Weir, the 2003 Masters champion who won the last of his eight PGA Tour titles in 2007, finished with a 67. Charles Howell III and Marc Leishman tied for third at 10 under.
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