The youth revolution in men’s golf is no longer a revolution but the ruling class. Anyone doubting that just needs to look at the Official World Golf Ranking.
Thanks to Scottie Scheffler’s win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the OWGR’s top five players are all younger than 30 years old, the first time all those spots have been filled by 20-somethings since the ranking’s inception in 1986.
Jon Rahm remains atop the ranking entering this week’s Players Championship, a position he’s held since finishing T-3 at last year’s Open Championship. After Rahm: two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa at No.2, Viktor Hovland (who fell one shot short to Scheffler at Bay Hill) at No.3, reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year Patrick Cantlay at No.4 and Scheffler at No.5. It’s worth pointing out this under-30 designation won’t last long, as Cantlay turns 30 on March 17.
Rahm has now been No.1 for 41 weeks in his career, 12th most all-time. However, according to Twitter OWGR guru “Nosferatu”, each of the top five could end this week in the No.1 spot. The scenarios are not as cut-and-dry as merely winning; for example, aside from victory Scheffler would need Rahm to finish worse than outright 10th and Morikawa outside a three-way tie for second. Still, that these scenarios exist underline how tight the top has become.
Rounding out the top 10: Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, defending Players champion Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson and Cam Smith.
PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox
