Jon Rahm Finally Has Chance To Become World No.1 Again
The Spaniard can return to the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking this week


Jon Rahm is arguably the best male golfer in the world right now but as things stand is currently ranked 3rd in the Official World Golf Ranking.
The Spaniard has won four of the last six tournaments he has played in including both of his starts so far in 2023. Rahm, according to Twitter's OWGR guru Nosferatu @VC606, needs a solo 3rd finish this week at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines to have a chance of returning to the top spot depending on World No.1 Rory McIlroy's result in Dubai.
Rahm has spent 43 weeks as the world's number one male golfer, having last held the spot in March 2022, when he spent 36 weeks as World No.1 from July 2021. He was usurped by Scottie Scheffler, who was No.1 until October when Rory McIlroy regained the position with his CJ Cup win.
Rahm will have high hopes of making it three out of three this week, as Torrey Pines was the site of his maiden PGA Tour victory in 2017 as well as his US Open victory, his first and only Major title to date, in 2021.
The OWGR has faced huge criticism following changes to its system, even by Rahm himself who described it as "laughable." There was also a bizarre scenario last week, where World No.5 Patrick Cantlay could have reached the top spot for the first time in his career while No.4 Rahm couldn't.
"I'm going to be as blunt as I can. I think the OWGR right now is laughable," Rahm said at the DP World Tour Championship in November.
"Laughable, laughable, laughable. The fact that the RSM doesn't have any of the top 25 in the world but has more points than this event where we have seven of the top 25 is laughable.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"The fact that Wentworth [for the BMW PGA Championship] had fewer points than Napa [for that week’s Fortinet Championship] is laughable.
"Look, I understand what they are trying to do with the depth of field but having the best players in the world automatically makes the tournament better. I don't care what their system says. I think they’ve made a mistake. They have devalued the value of the better players."
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
Valspar Championship Picks, Predictions And Odds
The final event of the Florida Swing comes from the Valspar Championship, where nearly half of the world's top 50 are set to tee it up on the Copperhead Course
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Porsche Singapore Classic 2025 Picks, Predictions And Odds
The DP World Tour returns in Asia this week at the Porsche Singapore Classic, and we've picked our favorites to contend as well as an outside shout for the title
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber Ride
The 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
By Matt Cradock Published
-
College Golfer Apologizes After Being Removed From TPC Sawgrass For Heckling Rory McIlroy
University 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
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Something Went Terribly Wrong If I Have To Compete At 50' - Rory McIlroy Categorically Rules Out Playing Senior Tour Golf
Asked about his long-term plans, the Northern Irishman insisted he would not be visiting the Champions Tour once he's retired from pro golf
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Makes At The Arnold Palmer Invitational
The bumper prize funds at Signature Events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational also mean bumper bonus checks for the winner's caddie
By Paul Higham Published
-
'One Of The Great Things About Golf Is I Can Go Out With A Guy Who Is Going To Shoot 90 And I Can Give Him Enough Strokes To Where We'll Have A Good Competition' - Scottie Scheffler On Losing To 10-Handicap Friend
Scottie Scheffler insists "one of the great things about golf" is the handicap system, even if it did cost him money and an embarrassing loss to a 10 handicapper
By Paul Higham Published
-
Jon Rahm's Legion XIII Signs Landmark LIV Equipment Deal With Callaway
Callaway is the first manufacturer to sign up with a LIV Golf team after partnering with Jon Rahm and his Legion XIII side
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Multiple Equipment Changes At Arnold Palmer Invitational
The Northern Irishman has made a number of tweaks to his gear setup ahead of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Don't Think The PGA Tour Needs A Deal. I Think The Momentum Is Pretty Strong' - Rory McIlroy On PGA Tour-PIF Deal And Why He's Adding An Extra Tournament To His Schedule
The four-time Major winner had plenty to say on a range of subjects affecting the men's elite game - here are six of the key talking points
By Mike Hall Published