Scott will top world rankings while watching TV

Adam Scott can enjoy this week’s HP Byron Nelson Championship on television, safe in the knowledge that he will become world number one regardless of the result.

In the absence of the injured Tiger Woods, Scott has had several opportunities to play his way to the top of the rankings, most notably when blowing a seven-shot halfway lead in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The former Masters champion would also have overtaken Woods with a top-16 finish in the Players Championship last week, but slumped to an opening 77 and eventually finished joint 38th.

However, the 33-year-old Australian will finally follow in the footsteps of compatriot Greg Norman when the updated rankings are released on Monday, even if Matt Kuchar wins the tournament.

World number five Kuchar would also overtake Woods with a victory, but would not be able to surpass Scott, who would make it the 12th time that a player has moved to number one despite being inactive.

Woods has yet to set a date for his return following back surgery on March 31 and will continue to slide down the rankings as his last wins were more than three months ago.

Martin Kaymer’s last win was of course just days ago, the former world number one’s victory in the Players Championship on Sunday lifting him from 61st to 28th in the rankings.

Meanwhile Pablo Larrazabal has called on everyone involved in the Spanish Open to wear black for today’s first round as a mark of respect to the late Iain McGregor.

Zimbabwean caddie McGregor died on Sunday after suffering a heart attack while working for Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth in the final round of the Madeira Islands Open.