/ 4 December 2006

Furyk not interested in catching Tiger

World number two Jim Furyk admits he has played probably the best golf of his career in 2006, but that it still will not be good enough to catch Tiger Woods at the top of the world rankings. Furyk closed out one of his most successful years with victory in the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on Sunday, becoming the fifth player in the 26-year history of the event to successfully defend his title.

It caps a year in which Furyk won twice on the US PGA Tour, finished a career best second on the money list and climbed to second on the world rankings.

But the American declared that becoming world number one was not a priority for him in 2007.

”What’s important to me is improving my game and getting better, whatever that ranking says,” Furyk said.

”Besides, Tiger is a very gifted and driven player and he’ll be very difficult to catch on the rankings. It will take me a long time at my current level, which is my best level and his is still better, to catch him.”

Furyk said he would be taking some time off now and then begin working on improving his game for 2007.

”I’ve had a good year but will evaluate where I can improve. My strengths are my driving and putting the ball in play off the tee. My weakness is my distance. I’m a very average length player and would like to increase my distance. But I don’t want to do so at the expense of my other strengths. I think I’ve had a very well rounded year in terms of my game, and I’ve putted better than previous years.” – Sapa