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Professionals

World Golf Ranking: Scottie Scheffler still in first place ahead of his tournament comeback

As reported in the latest World Golf Ranking, Scottie Scheffler of the USA maintains his position at number one, a testament to his consistent performance. Fellow American Patrick Cantlay holds his place at number five, showing stability at the top of the rankings. Scottie Scheffler will play his first tournament on the PGA Tour after the Ryder Cup at the Hero World Challenge. Organizer Tiger Woods is celebrating his comeback there after a seven-month break.

US Players in the Top Ten of the World Golf Ranking

America’s Xander Schauffele remains at six, closely followed by compatriots Max Homa and Brian Harman, who stand firm at seventh and ninth, respectively. Wyndham Clark rounds out the top-ten, ensuring a strong representation for the United States in the upper echelon of the rankings. Within the top 10 of the World Golf Ranking, aside from Scheffler and Cantlay, we observe some stability with no changes for Jon Rahm of Spain, Viktor Hovland of Norway, and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick who stay put at third, fourth, and eighth positions respectively.

With Keegan Bradley moving from 16th to 15th there is slight movement in the Top 20. Cameron Young (18th) and Sam Burns (19th) also climbed one spot.

The analysis shows a firm upper tier of the World Golf Ranking with players holding their ground firmly. For the rest of the top 10, players in the World Golf Ranking exhibit the competitive nature of golf where single tournaments can influence positions on an international stage. This insight into the latest rankings demonstrates not only individual talent but also the scores of players who strive to improve their standing each week on the global golf circuit.

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PGA Tour

Players Championship: Bizarre rule earns Major winner penalty strokes

Keegan Bradley managed to stay one-under-par on the third day and his second round of the Players Championship. He is proud of “one of the best rounds” of his career, but despite his outstanding performance in the face of difficult weather conditions, the result could have been even better.

Bizarre rule wording causes penalty strokes


Keegan Bradley had a three-meter birdie putt in front of him and marked his ball with a ball marker for it. So far so normal, but the strong gusts of wind caused his ball to roll away. For Bradley and his teammates, this was a clear situation. His ball was marked and therefore he was allowed to put it back in its original place.

Only a few holes later – Bradley started from tee 10 – did chief referee Gary Young award two penalty strokes to the American. The explanation is found in the wording of Rule 9.4 a. Here is an explicit movement described, first mark the ball, then pick it up and the subsequent again put down at the same place is considered as an official mark of the ball.

Players Championship: Bradley is visibly surprised


For the American, this subtlety of the rule is not new, however, he thought it had since been changed in favor of simplicity. “Everyone in my group, and I guarantee most of the entire field, thought the USGA changed the rule to simplify it,” Bradley said. “Put your coin down, that’s where your ball is. So put my coin down, the ball moved, a huge gust of wind came up.

“I looked at the guys in my group,” he continued, “and we all said, yep, the coin was down first, all good. Didn’t think about it again until Gary came up and spoke to me on 2, and proud of the way I handled that because that was tough news, especially with some tough holes in front of me.”