Woods ends 2008 No. 1 despite injury

Tiger Woods, still sidelined with a knee injury, retained his No. 1 world ranking Monday with Sergio Garcia pulling close going into 2009.

Woods leads Garcia by 3.87 average ranking points. At the end of 2007, his lead over Phil Mickelson was 10.9 points.

Woods, who is recuperating from surgery on his left knee, remains uncertain when he will resume his career. He has been No. 1 since June 5, 2005.

Mickelson is ranked third, followed by Padraig Harrington, Vijay Singh, Robert Karlsson and Camilo Villegas — all holding the same spots as last week.

Henrik Stenson edged up one place to eighth, pushing Ernie Els down to ninth. Lee Westwood held on to the No. 10 spot.

The next tier has Anthony Kim at No. 11, followed by Geoff Ogilvy, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, Steve Stricker, Stewart Cink, Adam Scott, K.J. Choi, Justin Rose and Trevor Immelman.