Top 5 Golfers in the World PGA Championship – US Open Edition
By Ashkan Motamedi
After the stretch between the PGA Championship and the US Open a lot of action happened between the top golfers in the world. In my 2nd annual top 5 golfers in the world post. I rank the top 5 golfers in the world currently and explain why they are ranked there. Next list will be after the Open Championship in one month at Royal Portrush.
5 Tiger Woods
After his Masters win Woods has fallen to five due to only making 3 starts since his 15th major win. Those 3 starts include a MC, T9 and T21. Outside his Masters win and WGC Match Play Woods has not been in contention at tournaments in 2019. With Woods not expected to play until the Open Championship it will be hard to see him winning with potential rust expected. Woods is still the best iron player on the PGA Tour and when he is at his game he is hard to beat. One factor in Woods play is the weather and his back does not respond well to colder weather which he saw both the PGA and US Open. The warmer the weather the more you expect Woods to be in form.
4 Justin Rose
Rose falls to four after poor showings before the Memorial and US Open. Rose best part of his game is his putting and that’s what got him into contention at the US Open despite subpar driving and iron play. His 2019 season has been a disappointment however and Rose has cooled off since being number 1 the world. For now his play is good enough to slot him in at four.
3 Rory Mcllroy
Mcllroy had cooled off since his Players Championship victory back in March. However a dominating win at the RBC Canadian Open and a T9 at the US Open slots Mcllroy at three on this list. The putter got hot to go along with the other phases of his game. With wow two wins on the season. Mcllroy now prepares for the Open Championship that is staged in his home country of Ireland. A great showing there could bump him into serious consideration for the top spot of best golfer in the world.
2 Dustin Johnson
Johnson had a chance to win the PGA Championship but fell short to his best buddy Brooks Koepka. Johnson lost his number one ranking in the world to Koepka ending his reign as number one on this list. Johnson finished T20 at the RBC Canadian Open and comes off T35 at the US Open. A place in Pebble Beach that Johnson was favorited at and disappointed. So for now Johnson ranks at two on this list.
1 Brooks Koepka
The new number one on this list Mr. Major himself Brooks Koepka. Koepka went wire to wire at the PGA Championship to take major number four and take over as world number one. Koepka run at majors has been historic. Koepka nearly became the first golfer since Willie Anderson 1903-1905 to win three straight US Opens. Koepka is clearly the favorite at majors now and uses the regular tournaments to prepare himself. With his dominant play Koepka takes number one on this list as we run up to the Open Championship. Which is Koepka worst major stats wise. If Koepka had better putting at the Masters and US Open. Then maybe Koepka would be going from the career Grand Slam. Either way Koepka current form has him number one on this list heading into the home stretch of the season.
