It's crazy to think with what Jason Day has been doing on the golf course that he's not the No. 1 golfer in our power rankings right now, but Dustin Johnson has very simply been better (and has the trophies to prove it).
The rankings got a shake up after the Bridgestone Invitational, but our top two remained the same. Let's take a look at who moved in different directions, but first, a reminder of the parameters.
- Scope is last two months of tournaments
- We value different things but will take into account wins, top 10s and
- If you haven't played, you don't get ranked (i.e. Tiger Woods)
- Recency matters
- PGA Tour will be main focus but bigger European events will be factored in
1. Dustin Johnson (Last week: 1): Two straight wins and he will be one of the three or four biggest favorites at the next three events (British and Canadian Opens, PGA Championship). Buckle up, people. Official World Golf Ranking: 2
2. Jason Day (2): Could have potentially taken the No. 1 spot back from Johnson but had a disastrous ending to his final around at Firestone. Should be noted that he had another top five finish, which is his fifth in the last nine events. The top two are eons beyond everyone else right now. OWGR: 1
3. Jordan Spieth (3): Nobody has quieter top-five finishes than Spieth. Nobody. OWGR: 3
4. Rory McIlroy (4): McIlroy scored a top five at the French Open, which is a nice appetizer to the main course of the British Open next week at Troon. McIlroy should have nothing less than a top 10 there. OWGR: 4
5. Matt Kuchar (7): After a T3 at Bridgestone, Kuchar has top 10s in six of his last eight events. He hurling towards yet another Ryder Cup appearance. OWGR: 15
6. Sergio Garcia (5): Followed up a top five at Oakmont with another top five on the European Tour. Playing his best golf this season (and maybe in the last two seasons) when it matters most. OWGR: 12
7. Branden Grace (8): Followed his top 10 at Oakmont with another one at the Bridgestone Invitational. Too bad the European team can't shoehorn Grace into the Ryder Cup room. OWGR: 10
8. Scott Piercy (NR): Think about this. If Johnson had withdrawn from or been injured for the last two tournaments, Piercy might have a major title and a WGC title to his name (he finished second in both events). Could he make a late bid on the American side for the Ryder Cup team? He's playing some truly outstanding golf. What's odd is that Piercy is not in the top 30 in any single strokes gained category. OWGR: 25
9. Brooks Koepka (6): I'll drop Koepka here after a WD at the Bridgestone Invitational. OWGR: 16
10. Daniel Berger (9): Berger also posted a WD at Firestone -- albeit a more controversial one. OWGR: 35
11. Adam Scott (13): Gaining some much-needed steam after a solid showing at the U.S. Open and top 10 at Bridgestone. Zero surprises if he wins The Open. OWGR: 8
12. Kevin Chappell (15): It's been a bumpy ride for my man Chappell. Top fives at huge tournaments (Players and Bridgestone) and missed cuts at others. I'll leave him here for now. OWGR: 32
13. Zach Johnson (NR): Two straight top 10s and three straight top 20s. Hasn't missed a cut since the Masters and will defend the Claret Jug next week. OWGR: 18
14. Patrick Reed (11): Fading pretty hard after finishing 52nd at Firestone. OWGR: 13
15. Danny Willett (10): Missed his last two cuts on the European Tour but also has a top five at the BMW PGA Championship and top 40 at the U.S. Open. Needs a strong outing at Troon or he's out of the top 18. OWGR: 9
16. David Lingmerth (NR): Top 12s in each of his last two events (U.S. Open and Bridgestone). Has been sneaky good this season especially of late. OWGR: 47
17. Chris Wood (17): Top 12 at the French Open. He'll make a strong case for the European Ryder Cup team later this year if he does anything at The Open or the PGA Championship. OWGR: 24
18. Brendan Steele (18): Didn't compete at the Bridgestone Invitational but posted a top five at the Barracuda Championship. Slow and steady goes Steele. OWGR: 75
