Steve Stricker moving to No. 1?

Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly won Greg Norman's Shark Shootout on Sunday, closing with a 13-under 59 in the final-round scramble for a one-stroke victory over three teams.

Stricker made an eagle on the par-5 17th - hitting the second shot and the putt - to give the team the lead. Kenny Perry and J.B. Holmes, three strokes ahead of Kelly and Stricker with five holes to play, both missed birdie putts on No. 18 that would have forced a playoff.

You may recall that a month ago I predicted Phil Mickelson would pass Tiger as the best player in the world in 2010. That was before Tiger took himself out of the race due to his marriage problems. I also predicted that Steve Stricker would give Phil a run for his money for the Number One spot. Steve is not only one of the best putters on tour, his short backswing, with minimal twist break make him one of the most consistent players on tour.

Most amateurs make the mistake of taking a long backswing, which causes them to transfer too much weight onto their left foot at the top. This results in a reverse weight shift. Try keeping your right elbow tight to your right side on the backswing. If your right elbow moves away from your right side, you have gone too far back. You may have heard Johnny Miller comment about Stricker's short backswing with very little wrist break. Try it yourself, and you will be a more consistent, and more accurate player.

What other top golfer do you think will contend in for the top spot on tour in 2010?