Tiger’s triple threat
World No.1 Tiger Woods’ cloak is on a shaky peg – and England’s Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey plan to unscrew it for good.
The English trio believe Woods’ 258-week run at the top of the tree is fast-nearing its end. Begging the question – which one of the monkeys on his back will reach the top of that tree first? Three’s a crowd, after all.
On merits, it would appear that Westwood would be the favourite. The nearly-man of the Masters, pipped at the post at the Players, that big win is surely just around the corner for Westwood. And, as the current world No.3, he is the closest of the three to catching Tiger’s tail.
However, close behind is world No.6 Poulter, the man who, if nothing else, has always been able to talk the talk.
But pretty in pink Poulter, who once touted himself as the ONLY man who could topple Woods at the top, has finally begun to prove that he too, can walk the walk.
His victory at the WCG-Accenture Matchplay earlier this year demonstrated that he has what it takes to win, that hunger and determination to overcome the field – and the world.
He once joked about how Woods would slag him off, calling him ‘No.2’ following his remarks two years back. I’m pretty sure he won’t be laughing now.
As for Casey, well, a year dogged by injury problems is hopefully behind him, but at No.8 in the world he is the one with most work to do if he is to catch Tiger – or, indeed, his compatriots.
Of course, while this trio revel in the crumbling of Woods’ sovereignty, plotting their own revolutions, there’s another royal waiting in the wings. Phil Mickelson.
Lefty, it seems, is in the form of his life and his clean cut family man image, winning smile and unflappable positive attitude make him the true benefactor of the Team Tiger demise.
The slimmed down Mickelson looks set to slip as easily into the top spot as he does into his latest Green Jacket. And who knows, the 150th anniversary Open Championship red Moroccan Challenge belt might fit just as well.
Who says red and green should never be seen?
Without a doubt Lee Westwood. Casey at times he has proven he can play solid golf but lacks the consistency. Poulter is more worried about how his hair and outfit looks and he has a candid ability to fade in the big events when he is high on leaderboard on the weekend.
If Lee can overcome all these close calls and clutch, he will have a chance to chase down Phil who will be the world’s #1 in a few months time.