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.
"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."
-
Genesis Invitational Prize Money Payout 2025Tiger Woods is one of a star-studded field competing for one of the largest prize money payouts of the PGA Tour season
-
Huge TV Numbers Generated By Rory McIlroy's Pebble Beach Win Buck Recent PGA Tour TrendRory McIlroy's victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was reportedly the most-watched non-Major and non-Players broadcast for over a year
-
'It Seemed Like It Was Pointed At Me' - Rory McIlroy Responds To Charley Hoffman's PGA Tour LetterThe four-time Major champion gave his view on the letter sent to PGA Tour membership from Charley Hoffman, which he felt was aimed his way
-
'I Think Really Good Venues Are A Big Part Of The Storyline' - Rory McIlroy Singles Out One Aspect For New Look PGA TourSitting in contention at Pebble Beach, McIlroy had nothing but praise for the course, claiming venues like it are far more interesting than 'a run of the mill TPC'
-
Social Media Reacts To Rory McIlroy's Incredible 353-Yard Drive At Pebble BeachThe four-time Major winner took an inventive option when tackling the par-5 14th at Pebble Beach
-
Scottie Scheffler Makes Rocky Par At AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmThe World No.1 found the rocks at Pebble Beach's iconic 18th hole, but that didn't stop Scheffler from making a wild par to finish his second round
-
Rory McIlroy Makes Golf Ball Switch Days Before Pebble Beach AceThe Northern Irishman revealed he had stumbled across the change while practicing in the build-up to the Pebble Beach Pro-Am
-
Watch: Rory McIlroy Makes Slam Dunk Hole-In-One At Pebble Beach Pro-AmThe four-time Major winner produced a moment of magic in the opening round of his first PGA Tour event of the year
