It's getting crowded at the top

For nearly five years -- 247 weeks, in fact -- Tiger Woods has been the top-ranked player in the World Golf Rankings, a complicated statistical evaluation that quantifies what money lists and trophies do not.

Woods has been, in a sense, an unchallenged king.

As the Wachovia Championship begins today at the Quail Hollow Club, though, Woods' place atop the rankings is being challenged by Vijay Singh, who has won two straight events and three this year.

Second-ranked Singh has made no secret of his desire to supplant Woods and is close enough that, if he continues to play as he has, he could chase down Tiger by the end of this month -- depending, of course, on how Woods performs.

Then factor in new Masters champion Phil Mickelson, a two-time winner this year who has been on a tear. Mickelson has nine top-10 finishes in 10 starts and has made a case for himself as the world's best player, regardless of the rankings.

Though the second-year event doesn't have major-championship status, it does begin with intersecting storylines involving Woods, Singh and Mickelson in a suddenly uncertain kingdom.

"It's a fact that I won't be No. 1 in the world forever," Woods said Wednesday. "Either someone flat out outplays me or I might not play at the same level or old age takes over. Whatever the circumstances are, it's going to happen. That's just a fact of life."

That doesn't mean it's going to happen soon, though. Only that Singh has been good enough and Woods, by his standards, ordinary enough to raise the issue.

The rankings are based on a complex formula built around performance and strength of field and weighted over a two-year period. Woods broke it down to a simple measure, saying, "Winning takes care of everything."

That's why Singh has narrowed the gap.

"It's closer than it's ever been," Singh said. "It's not only me but Ernie (Els) is playing well and Phil is playing well. The whole gang is playing good golf."

When this year began, Singh said it could take him two years to catch Woods.

The timetable of the pursuit has been accelerated.

"I'd like to get to the No. 1 spot. That's been my goal for a long, long time," Singh said. "I can see coming through this year if I play well. I cannot stop where I am now."

Woods hasn't played competitively since the Masters and has finished outside the top 15 in three straight events. Only one other time in his professional career -- a four-tournament stretch in 2001 -- has he gone longer without a top-15 finish.

He is working through minor swing adjustments that have led to some of his recent inconsistency.>

"The things I'm working on, you just have to be very patient," Woods said. "I'm starting to see progress."

Singh, who won twice late last year, has been relentless. He's a more consistent driver and putter than he was as recently as two years ago, and a physical conditioning program has made him better at 41 than when he was younger.

Last year, Singh finished tied for second here behind champion David Toms, who made it clear whom he sees as the favorite this week.

"(Singh) was definitely the best player at the end of last year and with what he's showing this year, he's the guy to beat here," Toms said.

Comparison

The past 25 starts for Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh

TIGER WOODS

Started 2003 Buick Invitational

Cuts 25-25 Top 10 17 Top 5 14 Victories 6 Majors 0 Money $8,603,463

VIJAY SINGH

Started 2003 Cialis Western Open

Cuts 24-25 Top 10 18 Top 5 13 Victories 5 Majors 0 Money $8,560,461

PHIL MICKELSON

Started 2003 HP Classic of New Orleans Cuts 23-25 Top 10 11 Top 5 7 Victories 2 Majors 1 Money $4,560,610

THE WACHOVIA CHAMPIONSHIP
Today-Sunday at Quail Hollow Club
TICKETS: Sold out
PURSE: $5.6 million
DEFENDING CHAMP: David Toms
TELEVISION COVERAGE: Four days of live coverage with rounds 1 and 2 (today and Friday) on USA Network and rounds 3 and 4 (Saturday and Sunday) on CBS Sports.

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