Tiger's No 1 status may be vulnerable

LOS ANGELES: Long established as world No 1, Tiger Woods runs the risk of being deposed at the top of the rankings in the first quarter of next year.

The American has been out of action since having reconstructive knee surgery after winning the US Open in June and, as a bystander, has watched his stranglehold at the top steadily loosen week by week.

After his astonishing playoff victory at Torrey Pines six months ago, Woods enjoyed a substantial lead of 11.328 ranking points over second-placed American Phil Mickelson.