Tiger Woods drops out of world’s top 100

• Former world No.1 now ranked 104th
• American hasn’t featured since Farmers Insurance Open
• Widely expected to make latest return at The Masters

Tiger Woods has dropped out of the top 100 on the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time since 1996.

The 39-year-old has slipped to 104th in the latest edition of the rankings, published today.

This completes a spectacular fall from grace for Woods who, as recently as April 27 last year, was ranked No.1. Indeed, since the start of his professional career, the 14-time major winner has spent a total of 683 weeks – just over 13 years – at the top of the pile.

“When I think I’m ready, I’ll be back.” – Tiger Woods

After an injury ravaged 2014, Woods has suffered a largely ignominious 2015. He missed the cut in the Waste Management Phoenix Open in January after carding his worst round as a professional – an 82 – before withdrawing from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in February after just 11 holes.

He subsequently announced that he would be taking an indefinite break from golf, describing his performances this year as ‘unacceptable for tournament play’.

“I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level,” he said. “When I think I’m ready, I’ll be back.”

The earliest that return could now happen will be at the opening major of the season, The Masters, which is set to tee off a week on Thursday. There had been some rumours towards the end of last week that Woods may enter this week’s Shell Houston Open, a tournament he has never before played in, to get some tournament practice ahead of Augusta. However, Friday’s deadline for entries came and went without Woods’ entering his name.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the most recent of Woods’ four Masters victories. In the year years since, he has finished in the top six seven times. He tied for 40th in 2012 and missed last year through injury.

Tiger Woods :: Is he finished?

Out of the top 100 of the world rankings for the first time since 1996, do you think Tiger Woods is a spent force in golf? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor