Golf Digest/US Tour: Tiger Woods heads into the Doral Open today with the opportunity for the third week running to reclaim the number one world ranking. But with 11 of the world's top 12 teeing it up, the slightest slip on the famed Blue Monster layout could just as easily send Woods slipping down the tightly packed standings to third place.
The only top player not making the trip to Miami this year is 2002 champion Ernie Els, but the world number three could still have a big impact on what the rankings look like next week depending on his result half a world away at the Dubai Open.
Woods's focus, however, will be on the Doral and a field that will be as competitive as any seen at the majors.
Joining Woods in Miami will be world number one Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, winner of back-to-back events last month in Phoenix and Pebble Beach, Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia and in-form David Toms.
Toms shot from 16th to ninth in the rankings on the strength of his victory at last week's WGC Matchplay Championships in California.
Padraig Harrington is the only Irishman in the field, as Graeme McDowell failed to secure an invitation.
A win at Doral would put Woods back to world number one, as would a second-place finish and Singh placing outside the top five. Woods will also return to the top if he finishes in a tie for second and Singh places outside the top 23.
Els, however, could replace Woods at number two if he wins in Dubai and the eight-time major winner finishes lower than tied for third.
"The number one ranking is really not that important to me," Woods said a week ago at the Nissan Open. "It's winning. Winning is how I got to be number one in the world rankings. Winning is how Vijay got to be number one."
EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR: Cork's Denis O'Sullivan was in second place just one shot off the lead after yesterday's opening round of the Barbados Open, the tour's inaugural tournament of the season, over the Royal Westmoreland course.
O'Sullivan fired a flawless, four-under-par 68 in the rain-disrupted event to sit behind Hank Woodrome of the US and England's Carl Mason.
Eddie Polland shot a one-under 71.
