Ernie Els and the Dumbing Effect of the World Rankings

The golf world is lucky that the supremacy of Tiger Woods is so unquestionable. If the world rankings really mattered, people would be seriously dismayed. Let's consider Ernie Els. Sure, the networks and the Golf Channel know it makes good copy to hype The Big Easy as a genuine Tiger Challenger. But, the reality is that his place in the world rankings is simply more proof of just how worthless the system truly is.

Els' win at the Honda Classic over Luke Donald (#18) and Mark Calcavecchia (#37) reminds us that Els has been trespassing in Jim Furyk's spot; Furyk has won four times on the PGA Tour over the same span that found Els coming up short again and sgain. Or, let's talk about K.J. Choi way down at #9. Choi has also won four times during Els' PGA Tour victory-free era in addition to winning already this year's Sony Open.

Of course, some will point to Els' wins on the European Tour but counting them would be like counting Nationwide Tour wins. Let's face it, the fact that Els said his Honda win was a "relief" proves that even he see the undeniable disparity between a PGA and a European Tour victory.

Since the battle for the next decade or so is pretty much going to be for second place, I figure the powers that be have about that much time to figure out a world ranking system that makes sense and awards the most relevant period of a player's record; What has he done lately and where has he done it?