Rankings mean little until best play together
SWEDEN’S Carl Pettersson and Masters runner-up Louis Oosthuizen shone brightest at the weekend, while England’s Luke Donald relinquished his No1 spot in the world golf rankings.
Pettersson played beautifully throughout the RBC Heritage Classic in South Carolina, winning by five shots to land another blow for the European Tour. Ooistuizen was equally impressive as he bounced back from his Augusta play-off defeat to claim the Malaysian Open with a three-stroke victory in a strong field.
Special mention must also go to Stephen Gallacher, a fellow Scot and nephew of Bernard, who performed with great credit in Kuala Lumpur to take second place.
It would be wrong to read too much into Oosthuizen’s immediate response to his Masters let-down. He would have entered this event long ago, so it wasn’t a conscious decision for him to get straight back in the saddle. The simple fact is he is playing very well at the moment, and to do so after a long journey from America is a fine achievement.
Put next to the heartbreak of losing a Masters play-off it won’t mean much – he’s a Major winner and has gone beyond winning tour events – but it’s great nonetheless.
Donald’s slip from the No1 spot should also not be overstated, given that he was knocked off the top by Rory McIlroy, who did not play this week. I don’t see it as Donald waning and the rankings won’t mean much until he, McIlroy and Lee Westwood again play at the same event – probably next month’s Players’ Championship at Sawgrass.
Finally, well done to Carly Booth, the 19-year-old Scot who won her first ever professional title at the Dinard Ladies Open in France. She came from six shots behind on the last day before winning a sudden-death play-off – a great win. Her dad is a former wrestler – and also a very good golfer – and she is set for a very bright future.
Sam Torrance OBE is a multiple Ryder Cup-winning golfer and media commentator. Follow him on Twitter @torrancesam