The Official World Golf Ranking was launched in April 1986 in the lead up to that year’s Masters, and were then known as the Sony Rankings. The first World No.1 is also the first answer in this golf quiz.
The top three in the initial rankings were all European. The highest of the five Americans in the top ten was in fourth place. (If you wish to have a stab at naming all the top 10, we have a quiz on the First Official World Golf Ranking.)
However American national golfing pride was restored when 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus, who had been ranked 33rd on that initial listing and who had only won twice on Tour since his last Major in 1980, won that Masters.
From 1968 to 1985 Mark McCormack had published a world ranking in his World of Professional Golf Annual. His rankings considered performances in the preceding three-year period.
But Tony Greer, a civil engineer, had been working on his own system of ranking, principally for his own amusement which Mark McCormack’s International Management Group picked up on. It joined forces with the R&A, who wanted a method for determining qualifiers for The Open, to establish an official world ranking.
In all, 25 golfers have been the men’s World No.1, and 10 of these golfers have come from Europe. Can you name them all against the clock?
More golf quizzes:
- Golfers With The Most PGA Tour Wins
- Every Winner Of The PGA Championship This Century
- Tiger Woods' Life And Career
- The Top 10 Women's Major Winners
- Most Wins At The Masters
-
Yan Liu Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour ProYan Liu has been making solid progress in her professional career – here are 10 things to know about the LPGA Tour golfer
-
Mao Saigo Facts: 14 Things You Didn't Know About The Japanese GolferDiscover more about Japanese pro golfer, Mao Saigo via these facts regarding her life and journey through the game so far...
-
Quiz! 10 Questions Every Golfer Should Know The Answer ToThere are some things every self-respecting golfer might be expected to know. Do you know the answers to all these questions?
-
Quiz! How Well Do You Know Arnold Palmer?He was the first golfing superstar of the television age, but how well do you know his career?
-
Quiz! Can You Guess Which European Countries Have The Most Golfers?Golf is increasing in popularity across this continent, but do you know which countries in Europe have the most golfers?
-
Quiz! How Well Do You Know Old Tom Morris, The 'Father Of Golf'?He was one of the most influential men in defining golf as we now play it, but how well do you know his career?
-
Quiz! Can You Name Which European Countries Have The Most Golf Courses?Do you know which 10 countries in Europe have the most golf courses?
-
Quiz! Can You Name Every Golfer To Break 60 On the PGA Tour?A sub-60 round was first made on the PGA Tour in 1977, and there have been 13 more instances since – can you name them all?
-
Quiz! How Well Do You Know Rory McIlroy?The man from Northern Ireland has had lots written about him, but how well do you know his career?
-
Quiz! Name All Tiger Woods' 15 Major WinsHe has won 15 Majors. Can you name them all?
