Vijay Singh is set to take a two-week break from competitive golf to return to his native Fiji for the first time in "six or seven years". The US-based star is designing a course in Fiji but will regain the world number one spot without hitting a ball.
Singh trails Tiger Woods by 0.08 points in the rankings and neither player is at this week's Colonial event in Texas.
But with the points system based on previous results, the American will be worst hit and will slip behind Singh.
Singh, 42, missed out on regaining top spot from Woods after a joint-third finish at the Byron Nelson Classic on Sunday.
He needed a solo third place or better after the American missed his first cut in seven years.
 |  Woods' preparation for the US Open probably started straight after the Masters so he will not be dwelling on missing the cut last weekend |
World ranking points are accumulated over a two-year period, with points awarded in the most recent 13-week spell doubled.
Each player is ranked according to his average points per tournament, points being weighted according to the status of the event and strength of the field.
England's former world number one Nick Faldo tipped Masters champion Woods to be in top form again for the US Open, the year's second major, at Pinehurst in June.
"It is just a ridiculous record for that consistency - and there were very few scares," said Faldo.
"He has been in contention for 99% of the tournaments he has played in and his consistency is incredible.
"But his preparation for the US Open probably started straight after the Masters so he will not be dwelling on missing the cut last weekend."
Singh took over from Woods as world number one in September 2004, ending the American's five-year stranglehold at the top.
The pair have since swapped places, although Singh claimed recently he was no longer interested in becoming world number one, and was concentrating on just winning tournaments.
He has won three times so far on the US Tour this season, with two second places and two thirds.
Singh, whose first name means "victory" in his native Hindi, admitted he was hoping to avoid the limelight in Fiji.
"I'm hoping to avoid everything," said Singh.
But he insisted his scheduled 0300 arrival time in the Pacific island was not a deliberately evasive measure.
MMIX
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