(CNN) -- Tiger Woods has not held golf's No. 1 ranking since October 2010, but he is now within touching distance of adding to his record 623 weeks at the top.
The 14-time major champion can topple Luke Donald by winning the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational tournament for the eighth time as long as the Englishman finishes no higher than third come Sunday.
"It would be nice to get back there because obviously it meant that as far as I had dropped, to build my way back up to this point, I've had some wins, I've had some very high finishes, I've been consistent," said Woods, who dropped as low as 58th following his well-publicized divorce and injury problems.
"That's how you get to be one of the top players in the world. To be ranked as low as I did and then come all the way back to, as of right now, No. 2, that's pretty good."
Woods has finished tied for 40th, 21st and third in the three majors ahead of this season's final one -- next week's PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
Scott's collapse hands British Open crown to Els
Ernie Els ended a 10-year wait for his fourth major title after winning the British Open for the second time following Adam Scott's final-round collapse at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.
Els ends long wait for major title
Ernie Els of South Africa celebrates with the Claret Jug after his victory during the final round of play at the British Open at the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in England on Sunday, July 22. See all the action as it unfolds here.
British Open 2012: The best photos
Hailed by owner Donald Trump as "the world's greatest golf course," the American's new Scottish project mixes breathtaking views from elevated tees with classical links bunkers and wild rough. Dramatic, tall sand dunes frame many of the photogenic holes at Trump International. The true test of the course's standing will be its longevity and whether it matures into a stern test of championship golf.
The world's best golf courses
After narrowly missing out in the 1960 British Open at the home of golf, St. Andrews, Arnold Palmer won the tournament for the first time the following year at Royal Birkdale and then again in 1962.
Arnold Palmer - Golfing superstar
He tops the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup standings after three tournament victories which have taken him to second on the all-time list with 74.
He is the only three-time winner on the U.S. circuit, but will be teeing off at Firestone on Thursday with South Africa's Branden Grace -- the only player on the European Tour with a hat-trick of victories in 2012.
"I feel very comfortable where I am at because everything is progressing," Woods said on the PGA Tour website. "This year I've taken the steps headed in the right direction and shot better scores and been more consistent.
"When you make changes like I've made in my game, it takes a little bit of time, and things are starting to click in now. And to have three wins this year, it's headed in the right direction."
Woods pulled out of the final round of the last WGC event, the Cadillac Championship in March, but has since put his injuries behind him.
"It's nice knowing that we have a big event with the best players in the world here right before a major championship," the 36-year-old said.
"This will be a nice way to get our games ready for obviously next week but also really test us at the same time. Having back-to-back championships like this, it's a positive thing."
Donald has held the No. 1 ranking for 55 weeks across four different stints, but is still seeking his first major title.
"I'm certainly very proud of my No. 1 ranking and how long I've kept it," the 34-year-old said. "That shows how consistent I've been over the last couple years, and I'll continue to try and work on accomplishing a lot more in this game.
"And if I keep doing what I know I can do, winning more tournaments and hopefully winning majors, then hopefully I can stay there.
"But obviously I've got a lot of great players behind me, including Tiger. It's good to have guys like that chomping at your heel. They push you to work harder, to challenge yourself to try and get to that next level."
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It topped a big week for South Africans, whose former president Nelson Mandela turned 94 on July 18. He is seen here with former U.S. leader Bill Clinton at his home in Qunu the day before his birthday.
While Els thanked "Madiba" after his victory, other sporting figures also paid tribute to South Africa's anti-apartheid hero. Here top riders at the Tour de France wait behind a poster of Mandela.
Els was the first South African golfer to win a major title after Mandela came to power in 1994. They are seen here before the final round of the 1996 South African PGA Championship.
Els, inspired by his son Ben, has raised millions of dollars through his autism charity with events such as his "Els for Autism" Pro-am at The PGA National Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Ernie Els tosses his golf ball to the gallery after a birdie putt on the 18th green on Sunday.
Ernie Els reacts to a birdie putt on the 18th green Sunday.
Adam Scott of Australia reacts to a missed par putt on the 18th green Sunday.
Adam Scott reacts to a bogey on the 17th green Sunday.
Adam Scott plays a bunker shot on the 15th hole Sunday.
Adam Scott gestures on the 9th green during his final round on Sunday.
Adam Scott looks at his putting line on a green Sunday.
Ernie Els reacts to a birdie putt on the 18th green Sunday.
Ernie Els reacts to a birdie putt on the 18th green Sunday.
Adam Scott plays out of a bunker on Sunday.
Ernie Els hits his second shot on the 15th hole Sunday.
Ernie Els tees off on the 14th hole Sunday.
Tiger Woods of the United States tries to works his way out of a bunker on the sixth hole Sunday.
Tiger Woods stumbles and watches the path of his bunker shot on the sixth hole Sunday.
Overall leader Adam Scott of Australia hits his tee shot on the fifth hole Sunday.
Scott and caddie Steve Williams watch the action on the first hole Sunday.
Ernie Els of South Africa, who began the day at -5, waves to spectators from the the on the first hole as he begins the final round Sunday.
Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland watches his tee shot on the second hole as Scott looks on.
Woods, who had several bogies on the day, hits his approach shot on the second hole during the final round Sunday.
Woods tips his cap to the crowd on Sunday.
Overall leader Scott, left, waits with McDowell on the first tee during the final round of play.
McDowell tees off on the first hole Sunday.
Scott, who started the day at -11, tees off on the first hole of the final round Sunday.
Andres Romero of Argentina, right, and his guest caddie, soccer player Carlos Tevez of Manchester City, watch the action from the tee on the 12th hole Sunday.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays out of a bunker on the 10th hole Sunday.
K.J. Choi of Korea plays a shot in front of the gallery.
Brandt Snedeker of the United States, who started the day in second place at -7, hits his tee shot on the first hole Sunday.
Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, who finished with a 279 at one under par, plays a shot from the rough on the 18th hole Sunday.
Adam Scott of Australia hits an approach shot on Saturday, July 21, at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in England during the third round of the British Open on Saturday. Scott finished with a four-shot lead going into the final round of golf's oldest major championship
Tiger Woods hits his second shot on the 17th hole on Saturday. Woods finished the third round alone in fourth place, five shots behind Adam Scott.
Brandt Snedeker of the United States wears a ribbon in sympathy for the Aurora, Colorado, shootings during the third round of the British Open on Saturday.
Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland celebrates making a putt for birdie on Saturday. McDowell and Brandt Snedeker are tied for second, four shots behind leader Adam Scott.
Tiger Woods putts on the 18th green as Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark looks on Saturday. Woods is seeking his first major championship since the 2008 U.S. Open.
Adam Scott of Australia reacts to his putt on the sixth hole on Saturday.
Adam Scott celebrates making a putt for birdie on the eighth hole.
Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark putts on he 18th green. Olesen is in seventh place heading into the final round at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, which is hosting the Open Championship for the 11th time.
Adam Scott of Australia walks to the 16th tee on Saturday.
Jason Dufner of the United States reacts to a missed putt on the 17th green. Dufner struggled to shoot 73 on Saturday and is 10 shots out of the lead.
Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the 17th hole on Saturday.
Spectators watch Olesen extract himself from one of Royal Lytham & St. Annes' many bunkers on Saturday.
Tiger Woods makes some calculations before teeing off at No. 5.
Ernie Els of South Africa hits an approach shot. Els, a three-time major champion, is tied for fifth place with American Zach Johnson, six shots out of the lead.
Woods follows through on his drive at the fifth.
Woods waits to play on the 18th green.
Adam Scott tees off on the fifth hole.
Woods scrambles out of a greenside bunker after hitting the ball close on fifth hole.
Wind whips the flag on the first green at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.
Scott pulls a club as caddie Steve Williams looks on.
Woods recently eclipsed Jack Nicklaus in career wins and is currently No.1 on the PGA Tour money list.
Graeme McDowell tees off on the fifth hole.
Ernie Els follows through on his swing at the first hole.
McDowell squats to line up a putt on the second green.
Olesen blasts out of a bunker at the third hole.
The crowd watches American golfer Bubba Watson, this year's Masters champion.
Snedeker reacts to a poor shot on the 11th hole.
Olesen hits a shot from a bunker on the seventh hole.
Woods celebrates a birdie at No. 6.
Scott rears back for a drive on No.5
Snedeker hits his tee shot on the first hole Saturday.
Olesen watches his tee shot on the first hole as Woods prepares to play.
Spectators at the Open Championship enjoy Saturday's play in ideal golf weather.
Scott follows through on a tee shot.
Mark Calcavecchia of the United States laughs with wife (and caddie) Brenda in the third round.
Lee Westwood of England hits his approach to the 18th green.
Golfers must dress appropriately to play in the Open. Rules for fans are more relaxed.
American John Daly swings at the fifth hole. Daly, who won the Open in 1995, struggled to a 77 Saturday and is in next-to-last place.
Woods follows through.
Bubba Watson tees off at No.5
Fans of young American star Rickie Fowler fans pose in the bleachers at No. 18, dressed in their hero's customary bright, monochrome colors.
Sweden's Alexander Noren fires a fairway wood shot over the long grass at the 11th hole Saturday.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington blasts from a bunker on the 18th hole Saturday.
Rory McIlroy sits as he waits to tee off on the 16th hole.
India's Keev Milkha Singh tries to escape from deep rough.
Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa searches for a lost ball on the third hole. Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, was tied with several players in 10th place after Saturday's play.
Golfer Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand waves to the gallery after making a putt on Saturday.
Luke Donald of England talks with caddie John McLaren.
Els prepares to play on the first tee Saturday.
Spectators follow the flight of Snedeker's ball after a shot from the rough during the second round of the British Open on Friday, July 20
Woods celebrates after holing out from a bunker for birdie on the 18th hole, finishing Friday's second round with a three-under-par 67.
Woods takes practice swings at No. 15 under gray wisps of clouds during Friday's round.
England's Ian Poulter walks off the 18th green during the second round on Friday.
Woods intently watches his chip shot on the 14th hole during the second round.
Australia's Aaron Baddeley follows the flight of a shot during Friday's second round.
A view of leaderboard during the second round on July 20.
Kevin Na plays a shot left-handed during the second round on July 20.
Tiger Woods of the United States tees off on the 11th hole Friday, July 20.
Zach Johnson of the United States watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round Friday.
Ian Poulter of England reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 13th green Friday.
Aaron Baddeley of Australia plays a bunker shot on the fourth hole during the second round Friday.
Vijay Singh of Fiji plays out of the rough on the 13th hole on Friday.
TV towers loom over the course during the second round Friday.
Tiger Woods of the United States reacts to a shot on the seventh hole during the second round Friday.
Matt Kuchar of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the 16th green during the second round Friday.
John Daly of the United States hits a shot from the rough on the 18th hole during the second round Friday.
A marshal gestures during the second round on Friday.
Aerial view of the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th holes during the second round Friday.
Tiger Woods of the United States hits his second shot on the second hole during the second round Friday.
Brandt Snedeker of the United States tees off on the fifth hole during the second round Friday.
Angel Cabrera of Argentina walks with his group off the fourth tee during the second round of the 141st Open Championship
Zach Johnson of the United States watches his tee shot on the first hole during the second round Friday.
Adam Scott of Australia waits on the fifth hole during the second round Friday.
Keegan Bradley of the United States hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round Friday.
Padraig Harrington of Ireland hits a shot during the second round Friday.
Rory Mcllroy of Northern Ireland reacts to a missed putt on the 17th green during the second round Friday.
Robert Allenby of Australia and his caddy, Darren May, walk alongside a pheasant on the sixth fairway during the second round of the 141st Open Championship on Friday.
Luke Donald of England tees off on the fifth hole during the second round on Friday.
Luke Donald of England hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round on Friday.
John Daly of the United States speaks with his caddy, Peter Van Der Riet, on the second fairway during Friday's second round.
Richard Sterne of South Africa hits from a greenside bunker on the 11th hole during the second round Friday.
Rickie Fowler of the United States reacts after a putt on the 12th green during the second round Friday.
Members of the grounds crew clear water on the course Friday during the second round.
Sergio Garcia of Spain and Tiger Woods of the United States look on at the first tee during the second round Friday.
Harris English of the United States plays a shot from the rough on the sixth hole during the second round on Friday.
Spectators enjoy the action during the second round on Friday.
Tiger Woods makes a tough shot from the rough during the first round of the British Open on Thursday, July 19. Woods finished the Round 3 under par at 67.
Phil Mickelson of the United States hits his tee shot on the 11th hole on Thursday.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the ninth green on Thursday.
Jason Blue of Bristol gets medical attention after he was struck by Rory McIlroy's golf ball on the 15th hole on Thursday.
Jason Blue of Bristol poses with a golf glove given to him by Rory McIlroy after he was struck by his golf ball on Thursday.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits his second shot on the 14th hole on Thursday.
Brandt Snedeker of the United States reacts to his putt on the 18th hole during the first round on Thursday.
Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium hits his tee shot on the first hole Thursday.
Charles Howell III of the United States plays a shot from the rough on the 14th hole during the first round Thursday.
Spectators watch the action as Sergio Garcia of Spain hits a tee shot during the first round Thursday.
Luke Donald of England hits his third shot on the seventh hole during the first round Thursday.
Phil Mickelson of the United States searches for his golf ball on the eighth hole Thursday.
Padraig Harrington of Ireland hits a shot from the rough on the sixth hole Thursday.
Jbe Kruger of South Africa makes some moves Thursday.
Scottish golfer Paul Lawrie plays a shot from the rough on the eighth hole Thursday.
A fan keeps an eye on first-round action Thursday.
With caddie Michael Waite at his side, Lee Westwood of England removes his jacket during the first round Thursday.
Bubba Watson of the United States hits a tee shot on the fifth hole Thursday.
Fans receive the signal to remain silent during the first round Thursday.
Junior spectators take in the action during the first round Thursday.
Rickie Fowler of the United States walks off the first tee Thursday.
American Zach Johnson watches his iron shot from the second fairway Thursday.
South African Ernie Els waves to the gallery on the 18th hole during the first round Thursday.
Woods reacts to missing a putt on the 13th green Thursday.
Amid a sea of spectators, Woods plays a shot to the green on the 14th hole Thursday.
Adam Scott of Australia plays out of the rough on the second hole Thursday under the watchful eyes of spectators.
Scott looks at the lie of his ball in the deep rough on the 18th hole Thursday.
Golf fans don matching Union Jack suits for early action Thursday, the first day of the British Open.
John Daly of the United States attempts a shot from well off the fairway on the second hole Thursday.
Watson tries to escape a bunker on the seventh hole Thursday.
Ryo Ishikawa of Japan tees off on the fifth hole Thursday.
Spectators lean in to follow a shot out of the rough from Garcia on Thursday.
Garcia, left, lines up a putt Thursday with the help of his caddie Gary Matthews on the second green.
Amateur golfer Alan Dunbar of Northern Ireland leaps up to get a better view on the second hole during the first round of play Thursday.
Bill Haas of the United States plays a shot from a bunker Thursday.
Vijay Singh of Fiji reacts after playing a shot on the third hole Thursday.
Consistently ranked as one of the very best, if not the best course on earth, Cypress Point is a small, private club on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula in California. Originally designed by Alister MacKenzie in 1928, several of its picturesque closing holes play alongside and over the Pacific Ocean.
Famed for hosting the annual Masters tournament, the exclusive Augusta National was the brainchild of the most successful amateur golfer of all time, Bobby Jones. He recruited MacKenzie to design the course in 1933 after seeing his handiwork at Cypress Point. The result has become one of the world's most recognizable and colorful sporting venues.
The first and only course designed by George Crump, Pine Valley is set in relatively featureless New Jersey countryside. Since opening in 1919 it has been considered among the most perfect and varied challenges in golf.
According to historians, a form of golf has been played over the links land outside the quaint Scottish coastal town of St. Andrews since the 12th century. Not necessarily the most dramatic or challenging course, but the natural beauty and history of "The Old Course" make it every golfer's "must play."
Set at the feet of Northern Ireland's majestic Mountains of Mourne, Royal County Down opened in 1889 and was given royal patronage almost 30 years later. Exposed to winds from the Irish Sea, the rugged sand dunes are covered by purple heather and yellow gorse. A fierce debate rages over its relative merits versus County Antrim's Royal Portrush.
One of few top-ranked courses outside the U.S. and UK, the Royal Melbourne layout was also crafted by MacKenzie. It is the oldest golf club in Australia and famed for its bold bunkers blending into the natural rolling land of the Melbourne Sandbelt.
Routed along the crags of Carmel Bay, Pebble Beach opened in 1919 and has hosted five U.S. Opens. Boasting some of the most dramatic panoramic views in golf, it is the most highly-rated U.S. course that accepts public bookings, with fees of $495 per round.
Built in 1901, Turnberry is a classic Scottish links, with rolling hills, sandy dunes and strong winds coming off the Ayrshire coast. Made up of three courses, Turnberry has hosted four British Opens on its Ailsa layout, most notably 1977's "Duel in the Sun" between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.
The host venue for the 2012 British Open, Royal Lytham & St. Annes is thought to be one of the oldest major's toughest courses. It lies half a mile from the Lancashire coast yet retains the feel of a classic links course, with tall rough grass and 206 bunkers guarding the rolling fairways and greens.
Noted for its secluded cliff-top location in New Zealand's Hawke's Bay, Cape Kidnappers is a 20-minute drive from the gate on the nearest public road. Deep gullies dip down to the sea between fairways, which give spectacular panoramic views along the shore and across the nearby wine country. Only eight years old, it is one of the newest courses to consistently feature near the top of world rankings.
One of the five founding clubs of the United States Golf Association with the first specifically-designed golf clubhouse in the country, Shinnecock Hills has hosted the U.S. Open four times across three centuries. It occupies links land on Long Island, 90 miles east of New York City, but has been said to possess the windy bleakness of British seaside golf.
Muirfield is home to the "The Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers" -- the world's oldest golf club, formed in 1744. The design by Old Tom Morris is considered a masterpiece, with two concentric rings of nine holes ensuring that the wind from the North Sea hits you from all angles. Small greens, deep bunkers and thick rough have made the East Lothian course one of the most revered on the British Open circuit.
His successes helped restore the tournament's prestige. Gene Sarazen won the British Open in 1932 during a period of American dominance but he was the sole U.S. entrant in 1958, long past his prime.
In the 1960s, Palmer was arguably the most popular sportsman in the world. From 1960 to 1963 he won a remarkable 29 tournaments and, as his popularity and fame grew, so did the legions of fans who would follow his every move -- known as "Arnie's Army."
As the American's career went from strength to strength, so did his image as a style icon. He recognized that golf fashion was a market that could be developed and he quickly became a trendsetter both for his looks and for what he was wearing.
To commemorate 50 years since his greatest golfing year, Palmer has launched a range of retro clothing that features modern interpretations of styles that he once sported. The range will be punctuated by limited-editions to be released around the dates of majors and tournaments won by Palmer.
PGA Tour professional Ryan Moore is the leading current player to wear the Arnie Apparel range. The 29-year-old Moore has won one event, the 2009 Wyndham Championship, since joining the tour in 2005.
Palmer and his two sisters were introduced to golf at an early age because their father was head professional and greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club, Pennsylvania. A young Arnie was handed his first clubs, aged four, which Milfred Palmer specially cut down for him.
Palmer won the first of five West Penn Amateur Championships when he was 17 and went to Wake Forest University, where he became the golf team's top player and one of the leading lights on the college circuit.
Palmer turned professional in 1954, aged 25, and joined the PGA Tour a year later. It wasn't long before his undoubted talent began to shine through, with his first victory coming in that year's Canadian Open, where he shot an impressive 23 under par over four rounds.
Palmer competed for the United States in the 1961 Ryder Cup at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, the host venue for the 2012 British Open.
He became one of golf's "Big Three" along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, a legendary trio that had the honor of the ceremonial opening tee shot at the 2012 Masters at Augusta.
Palmer became the first player to win $1 million in PGA Tour earnings and finally ended his career in 2006 as a very wealthy man. A trained pilot, Palmer would regularly fly his own planes to tournaments and did not relinquish his license until he was 81.
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