• Australian Open

Woods to begin rankings assault in 2012

ESPN staff
November 9, 2011
Tiger Woods is competing in the Australian Open this week © Getty Images
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Tiger Woods has earmarked 2012 as the year he begins his climb back to the top of the golf world rankings.

Woods, a 14-time major winner and long-time ruler of the sport, has slumped as low as 58th in the rankings after a two-year spell that has proved difficult both on and off the golf course.

At 36 years of age it has been suggested that Woods may never add to his major tally, but the American sees things differently. Due to the two-year cycle on which golf rankings are based, Woods insists he can only improve his ranking next year, and he is far from ruling out a return to the pinnacle of the sport.

"Absolutely," he replied when asked if he feels he can rediscover his conquering form. "I know that Vijay [Singh] was like that well into his 40s.

"I think he's won more tournaments than anybody in the history of our sport in their 40s - I'm not there yet, by the way.

"I had a really good year two years ago in 2009 where I think I won six or seven tournaments around the world, so those points all came off this year and I didn't make any points back.

"Next year's going to be fun because basically I have nothing and I'm not really losing any points. So I'll have nothing but positive gains next year. By playing well, by winning golf tournaments I'll climb the world rankings."

Woods is preparing to tee off at the Australian Open alongside Jason Day and Robert Allenby.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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