Three months after he was kicked out of the No. 1 slot in the world rankings by Lee Westwood of England, Tiger Woods has been knocked down another peg by another European.
With his eight-shot victory in Abu Dhabi, German Martin Kaymer has vaulted past Woods to No. 2 in the world. It was the third Abu Dhabi title in four years for Kaymer, the reigning PGA champion, who took his promotion with typical modesty.
"We'll see how long it takes him to overtake me," Kaymer told reporters. "It makes me very proud to be better in the world rankings than the best player in the world."
Twenty of the top 27 players in the rankings are from outside the United States, including 12 from Europe. Woods has a chance to regain his spot this week as he opens his season at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Woods has won the last five events he has played there.
- Kevin Dunleavy