Although Scottie Scheffler had a disappointing US Open, he must still be thought of as the best male golfer in the world right now. But there are a host of others nipping at his heels and excellent recent performances from Xander, Bryson and Rory mean they are putting up strong cases to be considered the current best.
There has been a great deal of talk about the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) over the last couple of turbulent years in men’s professional golf and those playing on the LIV circuit struggle to maintain a top placing, as they can’t pick up points outside of The Majors or the irregular counting tour events they are able to tee it up in.
Also, I don’t think the OWGR always reflects who is currently playing the best golf or has the greatest potential to win big events. Historic points can skew the list and mean players who have performed well but are not currently on top form can remain high on the list.
Without having even looked at the current OWGR standings, here’s who I believe to be the 10 best male golfers in the world right now.
1 - Scottie Scheffler
OK, he had his run in with the law at the PGA Championship and he wasn’t able to show his best stuff at Pinehurst, but he’s had an astonishing year beyond those two events. He’s won five times (including his second to last outing at Memorial) and been second twice. For now at least, he remains the best in the world. But… if he doesn’t perform well at Royal Troon, and others do, he could lose my vote!
2 – Rory McIlroy
He has the ability to play better than anybody else when he’s at the top of his game. Take away those two missed putts at Pinehurst, just a couple of the bad breaks and a couple of poor decisions (please get a new caddy Rory), and he would have been champion with something to spare. In terms of playing ability and the ability to perform week in week out, he’s only just behind Scheffler right now.
3 – Bryson DeChambeau
He was brilliant in his US Open win and he was runner-up at Valhalla. It’s incredibly harsh on Bryson for me to have him at number three, given he’s just won. But, if I’m honest, I don’t think he’s as good a player as Rory. The dice rolled his way at Pinehurst and on another day, it could well have been the Northern Irishman’s tournament.
4 – Xander Schauffele
The smooth swinging American has been on a heck of a run. He was runner-up to Rory in the Wells Fargo before winning the PGA Championship. He was also solid in the US Open. Together with Scottie, Rory and Bryson (when we see him,) this leading four are displaying remarkable consistency right now and seem to contend every time they tee it up. They are a class apart.
5 – Ludvig Aberg
The young Swede is hugely talented and I just think he has the most incredible potential. He has a swing that looks so repeatable. Yes, he faded a little at Pinehurst but he quite clearly has an exceptional game. If he fires on all cylinders, he’ll be tough to beat.
6 - Collin Morikawa
He’s just such a smooth and silky player. He’s come back to form and when he’s on form, he’s a force to be reckoned with, as his two Major titles prove. I just see Morikawa as one of the very best swingers and all-round players in the game.
7 – Patrick Cantlay
He seems totally unflappable. His slow, rotational swing rarely lets him down and he just plugs away as effectively and patiently as any player in the game. He does almost nothing wrong. He may be a little boring to watch, but boy is he good.
8 – Hideki Matsuyama
I think Matsuyama is a superb player. He has shown that now over a number of years as a professional. All aspects of his game are impressive and he played some fine stuff in the US Open at Pinehurst. He would not be a surprise winner in any event (maybe The Open.)
9 – Tony Finau
A natural talent, he was excellent in the US Open. Finau is just the sort of player you could imagine going on a rip-roaring run and tearing a field to pieces. Watching him play is exciting and you can see the potential for him to do something special. Great players have that potential.
10 – Jon Rahm
He’s just such a formidable player. He may have had a disappointing year so far and been beset by injury, but he has to cling on to a place in my top-10. When he is at his best, and he could be any time he tees up, he can beat anybody in this top-10.
