AN old sporting adage dictates that second place is first loser. But, as usual, Jordan Spieth is the exception rather than the rule after attaining the world No.1 ranking with a runner-up finish to Jason Day at yesterday’s US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
Spieth, 22, is now the world’s best golfer, though many argue he has been all year. As the Official World Golf Rankings celebrates its 18th top dog since since it was introduced in 1986, we look back at the players to have topped our game.
With his runner-up finish at the US PGA Championship, Spieth eclipsed McIlroy in the OWGR , becoming the 18th player to climb to No. 1.Â
2 inevitable things happened today, @JDayGolf winning a major and @JordanSpieth getting to 1 in the world! Congrats guys!! Inspiring stuff!
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) August 16, 2015
Tom Lehman: 1997 (1 week), 1 major
Greg Norman: 1986-1991, 1994-1998 (331 weeks), 2 majors
Nick Price: 1994-1995 (44 weeks), 3 majors
Bernhard Langer: 1986 (3 weeks), 2 majors
David Duval: 1999 (15 weeks), 1 major
Nick Faldo: 1990-1994 (97 weeks), 6 majors
Fred Couples: 1992 (16 weeks), 1 major
Ernie Els: 1997-1998 (9 weeks), 4 majors
Ian Woosnam: 1991-1992 (50 weeks), 1 major
Tiger Woods: 1997-2010, 2013-2014 (683 weeks), 14 majors
Seve Ballesteros: 1986-1989 (61 weeks), 5 majors
Vijay Singh: 2004-2005 (32 weeks), 3 majors
Martin Kaymer: 2011 (8 weeks), 2 majors
Lee Westwood: 2010-2011 (22 weeks)
Luke Donald: 2011-2012 (56 weeks)
Rory McIlroy: 2012 to 2015 (92 weeks), 4 majors
Adam Scott: 2014 (11 weeks), 1 major
