Challenging Tiger Woods in 2006

In 2005, despite some at times very erratic driving, Tiger Woods re-established himself as the dominant force in world golf. With another two victories in the "Majors", taking his total to an impressive 10, as well as another 5 victories (including 2 World Golf Championships), he also extended his lead in the World Rankings, confirming his position as the No.1 All this, and he didn't turn 30 until the day before New Year's Eve!

So, as the 2006 PGA tour gets underway again this month, it's a good time to look ahead and try to anticipate which golfers will be challenging him in the forthcoming months:

Vijay Singh

Four wins, top ten finishes in all the majors as well as another 10 top ten finishes in other tournaments? Surely, this form is good enough? Unfortunately, for the 42 year old Fijian, this was only good enough to see him lose ground on the Tiger! The incredibly consistent Singh will probably be the closest challenger in the months ahead, but with the World Rankings based on total points divided by tournaments played, perhaps the world No.2 plays too many tournaments to really peak at the right time to challenge in the big events?

Phil Mickelson

Perhaps nobody on this list has progressed as much in the last couple of years as the 35 year old left hander. His big breakthrough of course, was winning his first major in April 2004, when he captured the Green Jacket at Augusta. In 2005 he followed that up with another major, capturing the U.S. PGA championship at Baltusrol. It was a mixed year though, as victories were combined with plenty of average performances. Mickelson will have to improve on his consistency if he is to challenge in 2006.

Retief Goosen

An amazing final round collapse at the U.S.Open , which saw the world No.4 go from overnight leader to also ran, highlighted what was a difficult year for the talented, likeable South African. An unusual lack of consistency, together with a surprising drop in confidence in his own game, saw Goosen not quite perform to his normal high level. He still remains an excellent golfer though, and I predict that as soon as his confidence returns, he will have a big 2006.

Ernie Els

The only man on this list to have won the British Open, Ernie Els will be hoping he can put an injury stricken 2005 behind him, sooner rather than later. Victory in just his second tournament back, after a lengthy layoff confirms the class of the world No.5. The "Big Easy" will be hoping for a fit and healthy 2006, and if that happens, you can guarantee he will be challenging for tournaments all over the world.

Sergio Garcia

Two victories and 9 other top ten finishes confirmed the return to form of the very popular Spaniard who was only 26 on the 9th January this year. Having burst onto the world golf scene as a 19 year old at the 1999 U.S. PGA Championship and also the Ryder Cup that year, Garcia has struggled to progress onto the next level. 2006 will be a key year for Garcia, and he will be hoping more than anything to win his first major.

Adam Scott

Another young star on the rise, is the 25 year old Australian, Adam Scott. Scott has progressed nicely up the World Rankings, now finding himself comfortably inside the Top 10 players in the World. His biggest win to date has been the 2004 Players Championship and the next step now for Scott, is to produce some top performances at the big tournaments, like the World Golf Championships and of course, the Majors.

Colin Montgomerie

What an amazing 2005 for the 42 year old Scot!! Having started the year on a downward spiral, almost out of the top 100 in the world, Montgomerie re-established his position as one of the great golfers of his time and also, amazingly, reclaimed a position in the world's top ten. Some good early season performances around the world got Montgomerie's year started but it was his excellent performance at the British Open that really confirmed his position back in the upper echelons of world golf. Finishing as runner up to the Tiger, Monty continued to provide quality performances until the end of the year, winning the European Order of Merit title for a record 8th time.

Best of the rest

Jim Furyk

The former U.S.Open champion will hope all his injury worries are behind him.

Luke Donald

The U.S. based Englishman will hope 2006 is the year he moves to the next level.

David Howell

Howell knows how to beat Tiger head to head, and his career is progressing very nicely.

David Toms

Health concerns and charity work dominated the end of 2005 for Toms, but he is a proven world class performer.

Michael Campbell

Surprise U.S. Open winner but the European Tour Player of the Year from New Zealand wasn't complaining.

Padraig Harrington

2 PGA Tour victories overshadowed by the death of his father. One of many Europeans who could do with a win in a Major.

Darren Clarke

Incredibly talented and popular, the 37 year old from Northern Ireland is another who needs a major win to turn a good career into a great one.

Davis Love III

A poor 2005 for the former U.S. PGA champion, but he has the talent to bounce back in 2006, but does he have the enthusiasm?

Whatever happens, the standard and excitement in golf grows as each year goes by and I feel sure that 2006 will be a fantastic year with plenty of memorable moments and stunning performances!