Rk Champ Golfer            Rating   Avg    L3 Avg  
1 Bernsveden, Anders     58.77   58.97   59.20  
2 Willey, Paul                58.89   58.84   58.61  

Paul 'The Legend' Willey has been the top Linkster for almost as long as I can remember. In fact he's been numero uno virtually since LS 99 hit the streets. Prior to that German maestro Markus Drews kept Paul off the top spot for some months, however LS99 wasn't quite as smooth on his system as 98, and his rating slipped a little. 

Even prior to this, Paul was the man. Going back to LS97 players like Joel Bockelman and Petteri Saari (another Scandinavian - must be something in the water) at times threatened to take the crown, but for most people, even if he wasn't always winning tournaments, Paul was generally regarded as 'the man'. 

In fact, how long will it take us to get used to World No 1, Pa - I mean Anders Bernsveden?! Doesn't sound quite right yet does it? But it will start to sound right sooner rather than later, because Anders is no 'flash in the pan'. The Swedish teenager still has fire in his belly, and coupled with a stable computer system he could be top dog for a fair while. 

The influence of that computer system shouldn't be underestimated. But don't get the wrong idea - Anders isn't number one because of the system - no, his new system has just allowed the talent that was always there to shine. 

The advent of LS2000 will no doubt see a little shake-up in the World Rankings. It may be just a glorified patch, but even so some people's systems won't take kindly to it, whereas others machines will run it better than they did LS99. Expect much wailing and gnashing of teeth on the various webboards bemoaning the vagaries of technology. Because just like 'real' golfers who love to blame their clubs, their golf balls and much else besides for their poor play - anything except their actual golfing ability; us Linksters will blame the hardware or the software for our inability to hit that SnapShot. 

At the end of it all some new stars will emerge, and some old ones fade. Anders will be hard to shift from that top spot though, and I'm sure that Paul Willey will be there or there abouts for the foreseeable future. Don't count the old campaigner out yet! 

Over the next few months SnapShot will be keeping an eye on the battle for the number one spot, and we'll be surveying those jostling for the top positions. Watch this space!