Dallas ? Vijay Singh needs two more top-10s to match Jack Nicklaus’ modern-day record of 14 straight. But coming off his victory Sunday at Pebble Beach, Singh already has accomplished something almost as rare these days.

He is giving Tiger Woods a serious push for No. 1.

Woods has sat comfortably on top of the world for 235 consecutive weeks. He may not be squirming yet, because it would probably take a year and some poor play for him to be overtaken.

But Singh’s remarkable run, which includes three wins and six other top-five finishes, has vaulted him to within 3.08 points of Woods. That is the smallest margin since the Official World Golf Ranking was revised Sept. 1, 2001.

Woods entered this week’s Buick Invitational with an average of 13.51 points per start. Singh stands at 10.43.

To appreciate how far Singh has charged, consider:

When Woods won the 2002 U.S. Open, his last major victory, Singh was ranked eighth, 12.48 points back. At this time last year, Singh was fourth and trailed Woods by 8.79.

Although a player can make significant jumps, overtaking No. 1 will take time.

World Ranking points are accumulated over a two-year “rolling” period, with points earned in the most recent 13-week period doubled. Ranking points then decline in eight equal quarter-year intervals until eliminated after two years.

Although his past major victories are carrying less weight, Woods is still amassing big points.

In fact, since the 2002 U.S. Open, Woods has a better winning percentage (27) than Singh (14), and his top-10 percentage of 73 tops Singh’s 63. In that span, Woods’ average earnings per start is $375,998. Singh’s is $267,385.

Singh, though, has made serious inroads with his most recent play, and you can’t help but wonder: Is he the world’s best player right now?

In their last 10 head-to-head meetings, Singh has fared better in the standings than Woods six times.

Since the WGC-NEC Invitational, where Singh’s streak began Aug. 24, Singh’s winning percentage is 25 to Woods’ 17, and his top-10 mark of 100 percent tops Woods (83 percent). Woods has played only six times, exactly half as many starts as Singh.

“It’s a hard feat to take Tiger off the top because he is playing as well,” Singh said after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. “If I keep playing like I’m doing now, I feel I have a shot, maybe not this year, but in a year or two.”

Before you proclaim Singh the world’s best player, remember: Woods won four straight majors in 2000-2001, once posted six straight victories, and he holds the record for the most consecutive cuts of 115.

Still, last week while Woods was in Northern California watching his Stanford Cardinal play basketball, Singh was coasting to an easy victory up the road at Pebble Beach.

Woods may not know it, but he finally has a legitimate rival. Although players like Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els have staked that claim, neither has followed through with the consistency that Singh is displaying.