Clambering to the peak of the world golf rankings just about requires breathing apparatus and a Sherpa, writes Nick Rodger.

It is a feat achieved by a select few, after all. Since the global rankings were introduced in 1986, only 22 men have made it to the summit.

During that time, Tiger Woods held the position in a double nelson and turned it into a formidable redoubt. In his imperious pomp, Woods led the way for 281 consecutive weeks.

When he was knocked off his perch by Lee Westwood in October, 2010, Woods had been there for so long they just about had to send in the removal men and deep cleaners to aid the switch over.

How long Justin Rose will sit atop this lofty peak remains to be seen but having taken 20 years to get there, he’d probably like to savour the views for a while.

Fine margins tend to define this game, of course, and Rose’s lead over Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka just about requires a magnifying glass to glimpse the gap. The top three are covered by a mere 0.0544 of a point.

For one of the global game’s most approachable, erudite and graceful campaigners, the rise to the world No 1 spot is a fine reward for his drive, his dedication and his unwavering consistency.

His performance in July’s Open perhaps best illustrated the steely, mental resolve and competitive spirit of Rose.

Needing a birdie on the last hole to make the halfway cut, the 38-year-old performed the necessaries before closing with a 64 and a 69 over the weekend to finish in a share of second.

A professional career that began with 21 missed cuts has now reached a significant milestone two decades on.

“It’s a slow burn, and that would be my advice to young kids still trying to make their way,” he said as he reflected on the topsy turvy nature of this fickle old game.

“I turned pro at 18 and it has taken me 20 odd years to get to world No 1. So just dedicate yourself to improving, to learning, to trying to get better. That’s what excites me.

“Obviously winning tournaments and having these moments does too, but the quest to get better is why I wake up in the morning and it gets me out of bed.”

With Rose at the top of the tree in the men’s game, Georgia Hall is looking to plonk the St George’s cross on the summit in the women’s scene as English golf continues its current period of prosperity.

The 22-year-old, who made her big breakthrough with victory in last month’s Ricoh Women’s British Open, is aiming for back-to-back majors at this week’s Evian Championship in France.

The official women’s world rankings were only introduced in 2006 and no English golfer has been in the top-10 let alone be the No 1. Hall is currently eighth and, inspired by the efforts of Rose, she’s keen to keep climbing.

“It’s nice that I’m doing these things and kind of creating history,” she said. “I congratulated Justin in the morning. He’s a great role model to look up to. I said to him that it would be amazing if an England man and a woman could be world No. 1.

“I would obviously like to become world No 1. And I’m not a million miles away from that.”