Jim McCabe

SAN DIEGO - If there was one thing we learned in the eight weeks Tiger Woods stayed away from the PGA Tour to tend to his wounded knee, it was this: A golf world without him would be devoid of a No. 1 player.

Oh, sure, if Woods were to suddenly leave the game and commit to, say, organizing international support to making bungee-jumping an Olympic sport, then it goes without saying that someone would inherit the top spot. That’s just part of the circle of life.

Right now, it would be Phil Mickelson, but as fascinating and entertaining and skillful as the left-hander is, he’s not worthy of being the world’s top-ranked player. Top-ranked storyline? Yes. Top-ranked flake? Quite possibly. But top-ranked player? No, not when he struggles so mightily at times and hasn’t a clue as to how to play links golf, which is mandatory for anyone who hopes to be No. 1.

During the Woods era, Mickelson is one of a handful of players to be ranked No. 2. Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, David Duval, and Retief Goosen, are among those who’ve been Avis at one time or another to Woods’ Hertz, but try as they might, they never have pushed past the incomparable one to sit at the summit for any substantial time.

(OK, Duval actually broke through and seized the No. 1 spot for a short time in 1999, but in one of the sport’s greatest mysteries he seemingly hated the view from the lofty penthouse and after losing his lease on it, he hasn’t quit falling from view. Singh also took hold of the top spot in 2004, which apparently perturbed Woods so much, when he regained it he learned to love the view even more; so much, in fact, that it will be years before he gives it up.)

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The same reason that keeps Woods entrenched atop the world order helps explain why there truly isn’t a name out there who could be considered No. 1 in his absence. That is, the ability to contend each and every time the peg goes into the soft earth, in rain or heat, Right Coast or Left Coast, beach or desert, links or tree-lined, limited field or full field.

Consider how many times Woods has strung together three or more wins (five) or successfully defended his title or gone light years without missing a cut (remember, he holds the record, at 142). Then digest what those would-be challengers to the No. 1 residency have done in Woods’ absence: