Xander Schauffele has just claimed a significant victory at the PGA Championship, catapulting him to No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
This win marks a milestone in Schauffele’s career, now making him the second-best golfer globally, just behind Scottie Scheffler, who maintains a lead of more than 6 average points. Schauffele has frequently appeared in the top five of the OWGR throughout his career, but this is his highest position to date.
Reflecting on his triumph, Schauffele said, “It’s as sweet as it gets,” as he battled with Bryson DeChambeau in the closing stages of the PGA Championship. Bryson DeChambeau, playing in the LIV tour which doesn’t offer world-ranking points, jumped from 124th to 35th following his runner-up finish at Valhalla Golf Club, despite being ranked 210th prior to his T-6 at the Masters.
The shake-up in the rankings doesn’t end there. The top 60 players in the OWGR after the PGA have secured their spots in the upcoming U.S. Open, taking place from June 13-16. Among those who moved up are Thomas Detry, climbing from 71st to 54th after tying for fourth place, and Justin Rose, moving from 68th to 56th after tying for sixth. Rose, who won the U.S. Open in 2013, had lost his 10-year exemption after last year’s championship but will be back this year.
Meanwhile, Adam Scott has dropped out of the top 60 and is currently not in the U.S. Open field. Players still have a shot at qualifying for the U.S. Open through the OWGR if they can make it into the top 60 by June 9, right after the Memorial Tournament.
This reshuffling highlights the dynamic nature of the sport, where every tournament can dramatically change a player’s ranking and future opportunities. For golf enthusiasts, these developments add an extra layer of excitement as they follow their favorite players’ journeys across different tournaments.
With Schauffele’s ascent to World No. 2 and DeChambeau’s remarkable leap in rankings, the golf world is buzzing with renewed excitement. All eyes will be on the upcoming tournaments to see how these rankings evolve.
