Ratings agencies have issued warnings to the U.S. that U.S. credit will be downgraded if the fiscal cliff problem is not sufficiently resolved.

FORBES: A.M. Kitco Metals Roundup: Comex Gold Weaker on Profit Taking, Chart Consolidation

Credit ratings agencies have issued recent warnings to the U.S. that its credit will be downgraded if the fiscal cliff problem is not sufficiently resolved.

FORBES: P.M. Kitco Metals Roundup: Gold Ends Near Steady on Mild Profit Taking, Chart Consolidation

Another problem with the rankings, not yet fully resolved, is that paid appearance fees to just a few top players can significantly boost the point value of an otherwise undistinguished tournament, which the top stars may then win. (This practice isn't allowed on the PGA Tour.) Westwood, then No. 2, earned 20 rating points for winning last spring's Indonesian Masters, in which the next-highest player in the field was ranked No. 90.

WSJ: McIlroy,Donald and Westwood: How Golf Crowns Its World No. 1 | Golf Journal by John Paul Newport