Lee Westwood and Paul Casey have the chance to become the closest challenger to Tiger Woods on the world rankings this weekend.
But curiously Ian Poulter - sandwiched between his two fellow Englishmen at fifth on the current list - is able to climb only to third by winning the WGC-CA Championship in Miami.
That is because the rankings are worked out on an average number of points won over a two-year period and Casey has played five fewer events. Westwood has never been higher than his current fourth spot, but Casey reached third last summer before suffering his torn rib muscle.
Woods, still to announce when his comeback might be, has not been knocked off top spot since June 2005, but his advantage is coming down during his lay-off.
Westwood said: "When you're fourth in the world it's not that far to number one and just recently that's probably become a bit more attainable with Tiger playing less.
"It's a goal, but it's not a goal if you know what I mean.
"If you're asked then of course you would like to be number one - you want to be able to say you're the best at what you do - but it's not something I really think about too much."
11 March, 2010