ONLY tennis, you would think, could contrive a ranking system that allowed Thomas Muster, someone who could walk down Wimbledon's high street without causing a stir, to be the world's number one. You would be wrong. Snooker has been adjusting its figures, too, and not necessarily for the better.
Had John Higgins (20), won the final of the British Open in Plymouth last week he would be top of the provisional pile, a statistical quirk given that anyone who has a passing knowledge of snooker would place Stephen Hendry at the pinnacle.
If the former proceeds further than the latter in the Embassy World Championships, starting at the Crucible in Sheffield today, then the supplanting will be complete.
It represents rapid progress for Higgins, who began the season ranked 11th and who still suffers identity problems. The situation is changing as word spreads, yet the name Higgins still invokes the words "Hurricane" in most people rather than "John." Nevertheless Higgins has won five tournaments in the last two years, most recently the International Open in February.
Hendry represents one "if" threatening the theory that Higgins will become the youngest world champion but there is another one. Last year he arrived in Sheffield amid much hype and left it pretty rapidly after being thrashed 10-3 by his fellow Scot, Alan McManus. Then he described the venue, the Crucible, as claustrophobic and, if he was hemmed in during the first round, he is not likely to find more room in the later rounds.
As for Hendry, just about the last thing that the rest of the game needed was him with a grievance. Two years ago he won the championship while nursing a broken left arm, so, irking him by installing a new ranking assessment that he feels devalues the number one position is less than good news for those in his path to a fifth successive title.
He argues that, while no one wants to see a return to former days where the top 16 were guarded by the system, there was little wrong with the current one, that allowed the rapid progress of Higgins, by Sullivan and Peter Ebdon while still making reference to past achievements. Hendry, by the way, has won more than 50 tournaments.
He has another incentive, too, because a win in Sheffield on May 6th would put Hendry level with Steve Davis, with six world titles.
In some that would invoke extra, unnecessary concern in Hendry it will merely reinforce a determination that makes steel look pliable. "The greater the pressure, the better I seem to play," he said this week. "I've always said it's my ambition to overtake Steve Davis and being so near to catching him is an extra spur.
A RECENT analysis by a American statistician makes interesting reading in the light of Greg Norman's collapse last Sunday. Covering the last, 10 years, the study deals with the relative ability of players to, as he put it, close the deal when in the lead entering the final round of a tournament. He assessed a player's "chances" on, the basis of whether he led, or was one, two or three strokes back, entering the final round.
Among the leading players Norman was a long way down the averages, turning only 28 per cent of his chances into 16 wins. Jose Maria Olazabal was best with a success rate of 72.7 per cent, followed by Lee Janzen (72), Bill Glasson (50) and Phil Mickelson (47.5). The three worst were Bobby Wadkins (0 per cent), Tom Watson (4) and Jeff Sluman (5).
Incidentally, in terms of averting a possible disaster the omens could hardly have been less favourable on Sunday last. Not only was it the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic; it was also the birthday of Roberto de Vicenzo, who became the unluckiest player in Masters history by signing for a wrong score in 1968, so losing the chance of a play off.
Meanwhile, the money flowed freely, even to Doug Ford, who compared the experience to playing golf in heaven. Though he hasn't made the cut since 1971, the 73 year old received $1,500 for being in the company of angels - as did all those who missed the cut. The finance committee added that "modest honoraria, totalling $19,500" were awarded to a further 17 professionals who were present at the event, seven of whom were Masters champions. Presumably, these included honorary starters, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen and Byron Nelson. All of which suggests that in their own quaint way, the Masters organisers believe that a professional, whatever his status, should always be rewarded for services rendered.
IN BRIEF: Tom Keane informs be that Philip Walton will have the Ryder Cup at Royal Dublin on Monday, May 13th, for the Golf Classic in aid of St Francis Hospice, Raheny. Further details from Mary Farrell at (01) 8327535. Meanwhile, Walton is also expected to attend the Midleton GAA Classic at East Cork on Monday, April 29th - Ryder Cup et al . . . Indications at this stage are that upwards of 15,000 players from 1,200 clubs will be competing in this year's Bulmers All Ireland Cups and Shields competitions which will have their finals at Tramore on September 19th-21st... Portmarnock member Padraig Slattery, had the considerable satisfaction of shooting a two over par 74 at Augusta National last Monday, playing to the same pin positions that Nick Faldo had faced in Sunday's final round According to Nick Ryan, president of the East Clare GC, prizes ranging from boat engies to golf clubs will be on offer at the novel, East Clare golf and fishing competition on May 4th-5th. Further information from (061) 921322 The intriguingly named Christy O'Connor Jnr Oyster Golf Society will have their next outing at Co Sligo GC on April 25th.
TEASER: A and B are partners in four ball stroke play. At the 10th hole, A picks up and B boles out in five strokes. The marker records a score of six for A and a score of five for B. The card is returned with these scores recorded. Is any penalty incurred because A-B returned a card containing a score for A at a hole which A did not complete?
ANSWER: No. Rule 31-7a provides that disqualification of a side under Rule 6-6d applies only when the recorded score of the partner whose score is to count is lower than actually taken. The score recorded for A was not A-B's lower sore for the 10th hole. Accordingly, no penalty is applicable.
