Golf Things

It is another year when a golfer tops the sport earnings list. Golfer Tiger Woods remained the top earning athlete in the world after earning an impressive $90.5m despite a 10% reduction in his income.

Golfer Tiger Woods remains the world's top earner in sport for the seventh successive year with £59.6m ($90.5m) despite a 10% reduction in his income.

According to figures from Sports Illustrated's SI.com, the American claims top spot ahead of fellow golfer Phil Mickelson on £40.6m ($61.7m).

Tennis star Roger Federer heads the international list on £40.7m ($61.8m).

You've all seen the professionals marching around the course with their sunglasses on. Admittedly, there are some cynics who lead us to believe that this is because they are being paid by sponsors such as Polaroid sunglasses to wear them for the cameras, but in truth, they can have a big impact on your game.

Paul Casey has questioned the benefits of the changes made to the West Course at Wentworth during Ernie Els' redesign. Although his language was diplomatic, the impression given was that Casey is less than enamoured with the alterations to a venue on which he has enjoyed success in the past.

The world No. 8 is the defending champion at the PGA Championship - which begins at Wentworth on Thursday - and he also won the 2006 World Match Play Championship at the course.

RORY McIlroy will make his eagerly anticipated return to competitive golf in Europe at the BMW PGA Championship.

"I've been looking forward to getting back to Europe for a while," said Rory. "It's nice to be back especially to a course like this. The changes have been fantastic and everyone is looking forward to seeing how the tournament plays out in terms of scoring. My Dad has a sports bet on me to win, so I better do something!"

Lee Westwood has spoken of his delight at climbing to number three in the world - the highest ranking of his career. The Englishman has been a model of consistency in recent times, finishing 2009 as the European number one and inaugural winner of the Race to Dubai.

He has maintained his form this season with a runner-up finish at the Masters and another strong showing at the Players Championship ten days ago.

Colin Montgomerie must be wondering what on earth is going to happen next to the players he hopes will win back the Ryder Cup in October.

Martin Kaymer broke toes go-karting last August, Ian Poulter injured his knee playing basketball and now Padraig Harrington is going into hospital after tearing a cartilage during a football match. With this run, it seems that even if a member of the squad took up an addiction to scratch cards he'd get injured!

England's Justin Rose says is not going to alter his playing schedule to try to qualify for Europe's Ryder Cup team, despite being a long way off the pace.

The 29-year-old, who plays his first European Tour event of the year in the PGA Championship at Wentworth this week, is 67th in the world rankings.

Rose is far from certain of a place for the clash at Celtic Manor in September. "I am not going to go chasing around the world to get into the team - I have to back myself to play well," he said.

Ross Fisher knew he was facing a very different Wentworth to the one on which he closed with a 64 and finished second to Paul Casey last year, but he was still off to a fine start in the BMW PGA Championship today.

Fisher is a product of the scholarship scheme at the Surrey course - also the headquarters of the European Tour - and after a superb bunker shot saved the 29-year-old his par at the difficult first he then fired in his tee shot to within six feet of the flag at the short second.

England's leading golfers Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey believe that Tiger Woods's 258-week run as world number one could soon come to an end.

Woods's lead at the top of the rankings has shrunk because he took a five-month break following a sex scandal and then struggled for form on his return.

Tiger Woods is ready to get back into his golfing career after a short hiatus. He announced a personal sabbatical last December amid a firestorm of cheating and prescription drug allegations. He lost three of his major sponsors during his short time away and many have wondered what kind of effect his personal life will have on his golfing ability.