After successfully defending his title in the WM Phoenix Open, Scottie Scheffler returned to the top of the world rankings for the first time since relinquishing the position to Rory McIlroy last October.
However, his stay at the top could be short-lived, with both McIlroy and Jon Rahm in with a chance of reaching the summit this week. The Genesis Invitational is the second elevated event on the PGA Tour in a row, meaning another field with some of the world’s best players is guaranteed. That includes Scheffler and the two players immediately beneath him in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
While it is only two weeks since McIlroy held off Patrick Reed to win the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic, his performance at TPC Scottsdale failed to live up to expectations, with the Northern Irishman finishing in a tie for 32nd. He will need a significant improvement to oust Scheffler at Riviera Country Club. However, if he rediscovers some of the form he showed in the UAE last month and finishes outright third or higher, he has a chance of doing just that.
🚨#OWGR No.1 watch:The same three players will be battling for No.1 this week at @thegenesisinv.- @McIlroyRory will need a solo 3 finish or better to have a chance to get back- @JonRahmpga will need a solo 2nd or a win to have a chance.Detailed scenarios later...February 13, 2023
Rahm continued an impressive run in Phoenix that has seen him finish in the top 10 of every tournament he’s played since last September’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. The Spaniard finished third, five shots behind Scheffler, but he will need to do even better than that to claim the World No.1 position for the fifth time. Given his incredible form, though, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he finished outright runner-up or winner to potentially overtake Scheffler.
Elsewhere in the top 10, Justin Thomas enjoyed the biggest leap following the WM Phoenix Open. His finish of fourth was enough to see him climb two places to World No.7, swapping places with Collin Morikawa, who missed the cut.
Away from the PGA Tour, Dustin Johnson is the latest LIV Golf player to suffer a notable drop thanks to the paucity of opportunities to claim the points. Johnson now sits outside the world’s top 50 for the first time in 13 years, at World No.51.
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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?
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JJ Spaun Didn’t Win The Players Championship, But Here’s Everything He Gets After A Life-Changing Week At TPC SawgrassSpaun may have missed out on Players Championship victory, but the American can take solace in a number of positives from a fine week at TPC Sawgrass
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Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber RideThe four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
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The Incredible Numbers Behind Justin Thomas' Historic Second Round At The Players ChampionshipThe American produced an incredible second round at the famous TPC Sawgrass, with Thomas rewriting a number of records on Friday
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'To The Brandel Chamblees, To The Paul McGinleys To The Rocco Mediates Of The World, I Don't Regret Anything I Said' - Collin Morikawa Issues Emotional Reply To CriticsThe two-time Major winner told his critics that he doesn't regret his words after saying he doesn't owe anyone anything following his decision to not speak to the press on Sunday at Bay Hill
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College Golfer Apologizes After Being Removed From TPC Sawgrass For Heckling Rory McIlroyUniversity of Texas golfer, Luke Potter made a comment to McIlroy during Tuesday's practice round which caused the World No.2 to take his phone
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Dustin Johnson Goes From Worst To First At LIV Golf SingaporeAfter finishing dead last a week ago, Dustin Johnson fired a brilliant 63 to lead LIV Golf Singapore by three to quieten all the talk about his struggles
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Big Names Struggle Early On At Players ChampionshipViktor Hovland, Max Homa and Justin Thomas all struggled badly in the early stages of the first round at the Players Championship
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'Something Went Terribly Wrong If I Have To Compete At 50' - Rory McIlroy Categorically Rules Out Playing Senior Tour GolfAsked about his long-term plans, the Northern Irishman insisted he would not be visiting the Champions Tour once he's retired from pro golf
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How Much The Winning Caddie Makes At The Arnold Palmer InvitationalThe bumper prize funds at Signature Events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational also mean bumper bonus checks for the winner's caddie
