After Rediscovering His Edge, Tiger Woods Regains Top World Golf Ranking

There is something magical about both Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods.

Winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida for the eighth time, Woods tied the record of Sam Snead’s eight wins at one PGA event. At the Greater Greensboro Classic, Snead set the mark at the age of 52; Tiger is 37. Snead holds the most PGA Tour victories at 82. Both marks could belong to Woods alone in the not-too-distant future.

The Woods win was impressive and never in doubt. He downed Justin Rose by two strokes with the best display of putting of his career.

“It’s a byproduct of hard work, patience and getting back to winning tournaments,” Arnold Palmer said the eight wins at his event. “I don’t really see anybody touching it for a long time.”

In a win last year at the Palmer Invitational, his first since his fall from grace in 2009, Woods began his comeback. His World Ranking had bottomed out at 58. Last year’s victory gave him the confidence he could win again. He went on to win three times in 2012 and this win Monday was the third for Tiger’s 2013 campaign and 77th of his career in 284 career starts. Woods has won six of his last 20 events (30 percent win rate). If you do not think Woods is back to his lofty standards, consider that his career win rate is 27 percent.

Today’s victory ended Tiger’s long climb back to the top of the golf world, replacing Rory McIlroy in a top spot he lost in October of 2010. Woods is back, the records are falling, and the competition better look out.

With his sights set on the coveted green Jacket of The Masters, Tiger hopes to finally end his five year drought without a win in the majors. His 14 major wins are four behind the Jack Nicklaus all-time record at 18.

Tiger is at the top of his game and the nagging injuries seem to be behind him. He is picking up the pieces of a shattered personal life with the recent announcement of a new girlfriend, Olympic Gold Medalist and downwill ski champion Lindsey Vonn. A healthy Tiger physically and mentally makes him the odds-on favorite to pick up his 15th major and his fifth title at The Masters.

Congratulations, Tiger. You have accomplished one of the sport’s great comebacks.