Each week, 15 staffers from SI Golf+, Golf Magazine and GOLF.com vote for their top 10, awarding 10 points to their first choice and proceeding in descending order to the 10th player, who gets one point. The points are then added and the ranking calculated. This ranking aims to be an of-the-moment measure of who’s playing the best right now. Tell us your top 10 in the comments field below.

RANK (TOTAL VOTES, FIRST PLACE VOTES, LAST WEEK'S RANK)

1. Rory McIlroy (140, 8, 1) - Last three finishes: T5, Omega Dubai Desert Classic; 2, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship; T11, Dubai World Championship - Official World Golf Ranking: 3

2. Phil Mickelson (103, 4, NR) - Last three finishes: 1, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am; T26, Waste Management Phoenix Open; MC, Farmers Insurace Open - Official World Golf Ranking: 11

3. Luke Donald (95, 2, 2) - Last three finishes: T48, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship; T12, JBWere Masters; 3, Dubai World Championship 
- Official World Golf Ranking: 1

4. Kyle Stanley (85, 0, T3) - Last three finishes: 1, Waste Management Phoenix Open; 2, Farmers Insurance Open; MC, Humana Challenge
- Official World Golf Ranking: 52

5. Lee Westwood (80, 1, 5) - Last three finishes: T2, Omega Dubai Desert Classic; T12, Qatar Masters; T17, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 2

6. Webb Simpson (65, 0, T3) - Last three finishes: T8, Waste Management Phoenix Open; T38, Sony Open; T3, Hyundai Tournament of Champions
- Official World Golf Ranking: 6

7. Johnson Wagner (45, 0, N8) - Last three finishes: T55, Waste Management Phoenix Open; T2, Humana Challenge; 1, Sony Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 75 

8. Steve Stricker (42, 0, 6) - Last three finishes: T38, Sony Open; 1, Hyundai Tournament of Champions; 16, Chevron World Challenge 
- Official World Golf Ranking: 5

9. Branden Grace (36, 0, 7) - Last three finishes: T51, Omega Dubai Desert Classic; T47, Qatar Masters; MC, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 94

10. Brandt Snedeker (26, 0, 10) - Last three finishes: T50, Waste Management Phoenix Open; 1, Farmers Insurance Open; T8, Humana Challenge
- Official World Golf Rank: 16

Others receiving votes:

Tiger Woods (17)
Robert Rock (14)
Charl Schwartzel (14)
Sergio Garcia (13)
Paul Lawrie (10)
Keegan Bradley (9)
Martin Kaymer (9)
Jason Day (5)
Spencer Levin (5)
Thomas Bjorn (4)
Nick Watney (3)
Mark Wilson (3)
Dustin Johnson (2)

Fresh off saving the American dream in his inspiring Super Bowl commercial for Chrysler, Clint Eastwood is taking on the challenge of saving golf. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Eastwood will be “creative board chairman” and “founding shareholder” for the Back9 Network, a fledgling golf lifestyle network.

In his new role, Eastwood, 81, will meet with the Back9 brass once per quarter to go over programming and casting choices for the network, which is currently in talks with distributors and is slated to launch later this spring. Back9 executives declined to comment on the nature of those conversations.

“He’ll be a big picture sounding board,” said Back9’s chief executive James Bosworth, who was an assistant pro at Pebble Beach in the mid-1990’s when he first met Eastwood. The pair remained in touch, and continue to play golf together. “It was natural to seek his advice,” Bosworth added, noting that Eastwood, along with his wife Dina, has been consulted and supportive of the Back9 concept since its inception some two years earlier.

“There’s no better guy to go to for a golf media company.”

Eastwood is a longtime golfer who owns Tehama Golf Club in Carmel, Calif., and he is a part-owner of Pebble Beach Golf Links. [Photo: Eastwood waits to tee off at the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am in Pebble Beach in January 1974. Associated Press]

Gary Player says Rory McIlroy has ‘as much talent as I’ve ever seen’

Nine-time major winner Gary Player said Rory McIlroy is one of the most talented golfers he has ever seen in an interview with Reuters.

"Rory's swing is so magnificent," purred Player, slowing down his voice for emphasis. "He's got as much talent as anybody I've ever seen," the 76-year-old told Reuters in an interview at a Laureus sports awards event at Championship (second division) soccer club Millwall in south London.

Player said the only imponderable about U.S. Open champion McIlroy, 22, was his desire.

"Nobody knows what's inside of the man, how much passion he has," said the nine-times major winner. "Is he prepared to go through the pain barrier?"

Tom Watson’s chip-in at 1982 U.S. Open named best shot in Pebble Beach history

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Ron Kroichick lists the top 10 shots in Pebble Beach history, and we don't think he'll get many arguments over his first choice.

1. Tom Watson's chip: This might be the most famous shot in golf history. Watson arrived at the 71st hole of the 1982 U.S. Open tied for the lead with Jack Nicklaus, who already had completed his round. Nicklaus sensed he might win when Watson's tee shot on No. 17 sailed left and settled in thick rough.

The pin was tucked close to that side, so Watson didn't have much room to maneuver. Caddie Bruce Edwards encouraged him to "get it close," prompting Watson to reply, "Get it close? I'm gonna make it!"

He dropped the shot softly onto the green -- and the ball zoomed downhill and into the hole. Watson skipped onto the green in celebration, pointing at Edwards and saying, "I told you!"

"I say what it was: a lucky chip," Watson said in a 2010 interview. "I took dead aim and fortunately it hit the pin and went in.”

Spoiler alert: Kevin Costner did not make the list. [Associated Press photo]

Tweet of the Day

From Associated Press golf writer Doug Ferguson:

Put your next drink on Daniel Chopra’s tab, and make it a double.

In his practice round for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Monday, Chopra aced the par-3 seventh and then aced the par-3 17th. The San Jose Mercury News has the story:

The Swede aced not only the world famous par-3 seventh hole but also the historic 17th in preparation for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which starts Thursday.

According to the National Hole-In-One Registry, the odds of a touring pro making a hole-in-one are 3,000 to 1. The odds of making two aces in the same round are 67 million to 1.

On No. 7, he used a 52 degree wedge from 102 yards. On the 176-yard 17th, site of Tom Watson's chip-in in the 1982 U.S. Open and Jack Nicklaus' 1-iron in the 1972 U.S. Open, Chopra used a 7-iron.

Afterward, Chopra went down the street to play Cypress Point. Yup, it’s good to be a Tour pro.  

Man stabbed with club shaft in ‘slow play’ brawl at Texas course
The Fort-Worth Star Telegram reports on a scary brawl at a Fort Worth golf course that left one man “close to death.”

Clay Carpenter, 48, of Springtown said he is recovering from a punctured femoral artery and massive blood loss. He said the brawl broke out when his group of three tried to play through the group in front of them.

"People get in arguments every day on every golf course in America," Carpenter said. "But 99.9 percent of the time no one takes it this far."

According to police spokesman Terry Grisham, the fight started when a threesome on the course thought the foursome in front of them were playing too slow.

The brawl broke out about 3:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Golf Club at the Resort on Eagle Mountain Lake.

Grisham said that a foursome was playing on hole No. 13 and that the three golfers behind them, believing that the four were playing too slow, wanted to play through.

Carpenter said a course marshal instructed the four to allow the three to play through, and that's when the "gentleman's game" turned ugly.

As the golfers were fighting, Carpenter said, he was on top of another man when he was stabbed with the golf club shaft.

Caroline Wozniacki follows Rory McIlroy during Dubai practice round
You know how it is with these power couples. If they want to see each other, they have to meet at the workplace. So tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki joined her boyfriend Rory McIlroy for a practice round Monday at the Dubai Desert Classic. The Daily Mail (UK) has the story:

Rory McIlroy may be fine-tuning his game ahead of an assault on the Dubai Desert Classic this week, but he still found time to pose for a few holiday snaps with the missus.

The Northern Irishman was joined on his practice round at the Emirates Golf Club on Tuesday by girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, the women's world No 4 tennis player.

Sport's golden couple have been spotted together at various locations around the globe in recent months as they try to snatch some time together amid their busy schedules.

(Credit: David Cannon, Getty Images)

Tweet of the Day

Only way to make the patriots defeat feel better.Going to play Augusta National the next 2 days with my dad. Gonna be unreal. #hellofriends

— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) February 7, 2012

The 2016 Rio Olympics are still more than four years away, but Rory McIlroy has already discussed his dilemma of choosing which nation to represent at the Games -- Ireland or Great Britain. McIlroy's countryman Padraig Harrington is the latest to weigh in, and the three-time major-winner says the most pro-Irish thing McIlroy can do is to play for Great Britain. Here's Harrington's rationale, according to the Irish Times.

"I'm fascinated with all this conversation about who we declare for," the Dubliner told Setanta Sports in a new program called The Cut Line, to be aired at 10 p.m. on Saturday evening.

"If Rory and Graeme declare for Great Britain, it means we get two more Irish guys into it - as in myself and Darren Clarke get to play. You see the system works if you're in the top fifteen, you can have more than two from the country.

"So, if somebody wants Rory to be as Irish as he can be, he better declare for GB and we get two more guys in. When it comes down to it, it will be a complete no brainer because nobody is losing out, you're actually just gaining a couple of more spots for Irish guys."

An Olympic gold, he says, could be a "career-defining" moment, that "will have relevance in time".

Is Harrington's opinion patriotic or self-serving? And is there any guarantee that in four years he and Clarke would be the two best Irishmen after McIlroy and McDowell? Let us hear it in the comments section below.

It's Never Too Early...
...to start talking Masters. This week Golfodds.com released its odds on the Masters. Looks like some insiders believe that Tiger is back. Here are the favorites, according to the site.

Odds to Win 2012 Masters:

Tiger Woods 9/2
Rory McIlroy 8/1
Phil Mickelson 15/1
Lee Westwood 20/1
Luke Donald 20/1
Adam Scott 25/1
Jason Day 30/1
Dustin Johnson 30/1
Nick Watney 40/1
Rickie Fowler 40/1
Martin Kaymer 40/1
Charl Schwartzel 40/1
Sergio Garcia 30/1
Matt Kuchar 40/1
Hunter Mahan 40/1
Steve Stricker 40/1
Anthony Kim 40/1
Webb Simpson 40/1
Bubba Watson 50/1
Justin Rose 60/1
Geoff Ogilvy 60/1
K.J. Choi 50/1
Graeme McDowell 60/1
Padraig Harrington 80/1
Retief Goosen 80/1
Paul Casey 50/1
Ian Poulter 60/1
Jim Furyk 60/1
Zach Johnson 80/1
Keegan Bradley 60/1
Angel Cabrera 100/1
Y.E. Yang 80/1
Gary Woodland 80/1
Ryo Ishikawa 100/1
Ryan Moore 100/1
Ernie Els 80/1
Brandt Snedeker 60/1
Bill Haas 80/1
Bo Van Pelt 80/1
Field (All Others) 15/1

Where would you place your money? Our favorite picks off this board are McIlroy, Watney and Choi.

Hallway Golf Video of the Day
NBC released a new video of Samuel L. Jackson's appearance on Jimmy Fallon, where the two celebs clash in a round of "Hallway Golf." (Fallon is actually a big golf fan, in case you missed it on Golf.com.)

Tweet of the Day

Cartoon Stanley
After Kyle Stanley's shocking collapse at the Farmers Insurance Open on Sunday, Steve Elkington shared this comic about Stanley.

After 18 on Sunday @kylestanleygolf tried to make a claim @ Farmers... twitter.com/elkpga/status/…

— Steve Elkington (@elkpga) January 30, 2012

Pros Talk Tennis
Despite being busy playing in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald had time not only to tweet but catch some of the action at the Australian Open.

They are going to have to come up with a 6 hour energy drink, 5 just ain't going to cut it. #Rafa/Djokovic

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) January 29, 2012

Apparently I missed an unbelievable tennis match today! Was busy making birdies, bogeys and others!! Need to limit mistakes at the weekend!

— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) January 27, 2012

Lost in the desert
Donald also had some free time to do a photo shoot in the middle of nowhere. Literally.

Headed out to the middle of the desert yesterday for a photo shoot. Amazing views! twitpic.com/8bhbag

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) January 25, 2012

Took John ages to find those balls....

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) January 25, 2012

Rockin' the hat?
Robert Rock has yet to wear a hat while he plays, but that may change.

Report: Titleist offers Robert Rock 1 million a year for three years to put Titleist logo on his forehead.

— John Peterson (@JohnPetersonLSU) January 30, 2012

Donald was thinking the same thing we were.

No hat deal for Rock yet? Maybe he has a hair deal in place instead. #tresemme? #Head&Shoulders?

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) January 29, 2012

Robert Rock held off Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and the rest of the field to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Sunday.

It was the second career victory for Rock, a 34-year-old Englishman in his 10th year on the European Tour who also won last year's Italian Open. Rock, who started the day tied for the lead with Woods at 11 under, hit his drive on the par-5 18th into a hazard but salvaged bogey to shoot 70 and finish 13 under, one shot ahead of Rory McIlroy.

Woods had three birdies and two bogeys on the front nine and started the back nine with a bogey on the par-5 10th. From there, Woods made nothing but pars, shooting even-par 72 to tie for third with  Graeme McDowell and Thomas Bjorn at 11 under.

All week, Woods had been in control of his long game, but he hit just one fairway on the back nine on Sunday and only six greens in regulation for the day.

Woods won his own event, the limited-field Chevron World Challenge, in December, but he hasn't had a full-field victory since November of 2009, when he won the Australian Masters.

After the tournament, Woods said some of his distances were off in the final round, but overall he sounded optimistic about his game.

"I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made so far," he said. "Since Australia, my stroke play events I’ve been doing pretty good. I just need to keep building, keep getting more consistent. Today was a day I putted beautifully, I just didn’t give myself enough looks."

Rock sounded a bit overwhelmed by his accomplishment.

"I was just very happy to be playing Tiger Woods today, and that’s a special honor in itself," Rock said. "It’s been a steady progression from when I finished work in the golf shops, and I worked hard at my game, but I didn’t think this would happen."

Stay tuned to Golf.com for more from Abu Dhabi. Leaderboard | Round 4 Photos | Round 3 Photos 

Photo: Paul Childs/Zuma Press

D'oh! Rory gets two-stroke penalty at Abu Dhabi
Rory McIlroy had a momentary brain lapse in Friday's round at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship that cost him a two-shot penalty and left him tied for fourth instead of tied for the lead at the end of the day. McIlroy brushed away sand from his line when playing his shot from off the ninth green. The Irish Examiner has the story:

Ireland's US Open champion would have been alongside Dane Thorbjorn Olesen -- a rather less well-known 22-year-old -- but for brushing sand away from his line on the ninth hole of his second round.

That would have been all right if it had been on the green, but he was six feet off the putting surface and world number one Luke Donald instantly brought it to his attention.

"I wasn't thinking clearly and just made a very stupid mental mistake," McIlroy said.

Playing partner Luke Donald immediately brought the mistake to McIlroy's attention.

"Luke said: 'Don't think you can do that', and I was like: 'Oh yeah, I can't, can I? It happens and you just have to take it on the chin."

Despite the miscue, McIlroy was able to scramble back and finish the round with a 72. 

New caddie for Els
Ernie Els will be seeking the advice from a new caddie for the duration of this year's Farmers Insurance Open. According to Reuters, his long-term caddie, Ricci Roberts, suffered a freak accident after falling down a flight of stairs after a pro-am event in South Africa.

Roberts, who had competed in a charity tournament to raise funds for the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation, broke his ankle after accepting a prize and will be out for at least two months.

"I called Ricci up on stage and he did a little speech but when he walked off he just kind of missed his first step and he went down," Els told Reuters before Thursday's opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

"It was so damn dark and this stage was about this high," the South African added, pointing six feet above the air. "The poor guy broke his ankle so he's out for a while.

Els's replacement caddie, Dan Quinn, is a former National Hockey League player and has caddied for Els before back in 2010, according to Reuters. Els said he expects Ricci to be back caddying for him by the middle of March. 

Tweet of the Day

It was announced this morning at the PGA Merchandise Show that Meg Mallon will captain the U.S. Solheim Cup team in 2013 as they look to extract revenge on the European side when they meet at Colorado Golf Club. 

Mallon is an 18-time LPGA winner, including four major championships, and played on eight U.S. Solheim Cup teams, sporting a 13-9-7 career record. She served as an assistant captain to the victorious 2009 team and also captained a winning American side at the 2011 PING Junior Solheim Cup. 

"It's an absolute honor to be selected as the 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Captain," said Mallon. "I've participated in The Solheim Cup on nine occasions and each has been a proud moment for me, but to represent the United States as team captain definitely caps off my career. I look forward to working hard on getting the Cup back in U.S. hands." 

Back to school
Rory McIlroy, the scholar. That’s right, the U.S. Open champ is set to receive an honorary degree from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. According to the Irish Times, McIlroy will be awarded a Doctor of Science degree for his contribution to golf. 

The university said: “Rory McIlroy has quickly established himself as a major force in international golf as a Major winner and Ryder Cup hero.” 

Compatriots Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke have also been honored by the university in the past. 

Other notables to receive honorary degrees from the University of Ulster this year include Manchester United skipper Sir Alex Ferguson, Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody and actor Sir Ian McKellen, among others. 

Golf’s Oprah
Looking to build on a successful first season, Golf Magazine contributing writer David Feherty’s hit talk show, Feherty, will expand to a one hour time slot, beginning February 27. Due to viewer demand, Golf Channel has also ordered more episodes for season two and has pushed the original series back to the 10 p.m. time slot. In a press release, Golf Channel stated:

“We were blown away by the positive reaction our viewers had to this show and their appreciation for the truly heartfelt moments David was able to pull from each interview,” said Golf Channel President Mike McCarley. “People know David as funny and a bit irreverent, but they never knew how much emotion would come from this series. The one comment we heard repeatedly from viewers was ‘give us more’ -- so that’s exactly what we plan to do in season two.” 

If you can’t hold out an entire month for your weekly dose of Feherty, don’t fret. Before season two airs, viewers will be treated to a special from the Super Bowl with Feherty performing before a live theatre audience, armed with a slew of guests from the world of sports and entertainment. 

Additionally, Golf Channel will be airing bonus footage shot for two of the most popular Feherty episodes, including never-before-seen interviews with Johnny Miller and Tom Watson. The episodes will be re-aired in a one-hour format on February 13 and 20, respectively. 

Speed golf
Ben Crane isn’t the only one pumping out viral videos; rally driver and drifting champion Rhys Millen has teamed up with Hyundai to bring the largely underground world of Formula D to the golf course. Millen, who will race the 500bhp Hyundai Veloster in the US Rallycross championship, shows just how fast he really is, terrorizing the Purangi Golf & Country Club in New Zealand with his turbocharged golf cart. 

PGA Tour, take notice. We just solved your pace of play problem.

Tweet of the Day

Steve Sands @ Golfchannel reports from Abu Dhabi that Tiger Woods took off his undershirt on hole 4 yesterday.... #tigersyearhasstarted

— Steve Elkington (@elkpga) January 26, 2012

Following his tie for 49th place at the Humana Challenge, Phil Mickelson announced that he would be skipping next month’s WGC-Accenture Match Play. Alex Miceli has the story:

Mickelson, playing in the Humana Challenge for the first time in five years, has a conflict with his children’s spring break and, as in the past, will take the week off to vacation with his three children and wife, Amy, during the Feb. 22-26 Match Play.

“I'm going to end up missing the Match Play this year as we're going to go on a family trip,” Mickelson, No. 15 in the Official World Golf Ranking, said Sunday after completing his third round here. “So as I miss that tournament, it was easier to add this one, too.”

Those wanting more of Lefty won’t have to look hard to find him. Mickelson will be making his rounds on the West Coast over the next few weeks, playing the Farmers Insurance Open, Waste Management Phoenix Open, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and Northern Trust Open before taking a week off with the family for a little R&R.

Coming to America

Chubby Chandler may have lost his brightest star in Rory McIlroy, but that hasn’t deterred ISM’s head honcho from seeking out new talent. Expect many of those new clients to bleed red, white and blue. While speaking with Golf Talk Central, Chandler stated that he would sign more American players this year than Europeans. 

Chandler recently set up shop in South Florida, ISM’s new American base, and has signed Peter Uihlein and Ben An in the last two months alone. 

Rex Hoggard of Golf Talk Central is also reporting that Steve Zika will take the lead on ISM’s descent into the American talent pool: 

GTC has confirmed through various sources that Steve Zika, a longtime tour representative for Ping, will be ISM’s American front-man. 

Zika was with Ping for a dozen years and worked with the company’s PGA Tour team since 2001. It was during this time that Zika fostered a relationship with Lee Westwood, No. 2 in the World Golf Ranking and a longtime member of Chandler’s stable.

Bubba gets a new ride

Contrary to what Christina Kim thinks, Bubba Watson apparently can have it all. This past weekend, Watson became the proud new owner of the original General Lee car from the “Dukes of Hazzard.” While at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., Bubba tweeted a photo of the legendary vehicle:  

My fav at Barrett Jackson!! #dreamcar lockerz.com/s/176557904

— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) January 21, 2012

Roughly five hours later, Watson sent out a follow-up tweet, exclaiming, “Just got my dream car!!!” 

Never one to shy away from the send button, Bubba has since continued to tweet about his new prized possession, including this picture of him gassing up the General: 

Last night I bought some gas!! #gamechanger #Lee1 lockerz.com/s/176822084

— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) January 22, 2012

Watson has also contacted Notorious Whips with plans of customizing the classic Dodge Charger, including a complete restore of the inside. 

And before you even ask, yes, the horn still works. 

All in all, the General Lee set Bubba back a mere $110,000. Not too shabby considering he owns a watch worth more than four times that. Hey Bubba, just make sure you keep an eye out for Roscoe. 

Tweet of the Day 

Not a good day to b a punt returner for San Fran. #notanybodiesfavplayertoday

— Jason Dufner (@JasonDufner) January 23, 2012