Nina Caldwell
As of April 2025, Scottie Scheffler is ranked as the number one golfer in the world, a position he has held for 95 consecutive weeks. Scheffler is only the 25th player to hold the number one ranking. Tiger Woods holds the record for the most cumulative weeks at number one, with 683 weeks in his career. Greg Norman is next on the list, with 331 weeks at number one.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current #1 player | Scottie Scheffler |
| Previous #1 player | Adam Scott |
| Date of Scheffler's first #1 ranking | March 28, 2022 |
| Number of weeks as #1 player | 95-108 weeks |
| Longest streak at #1 | Tiger Woods (281 weeks) |
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What You'll Learn
Scottie Scheffler is currently ranked No. 1
Scheffler's closest competition, in terms of OWGR points, are Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele. However, Scheffler's points total nearly doubles that of McIlroy and Schauffele. Scheffler's impressive run has seen him achieve historic levels of consistency in a highly competitive era of golf, with seven prime golfers claiming multiple major championships.
Scheffler's rise to the top of the world rankings began with his win in the 2022 WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, where he overtook Jon Rahm, who had been the 24th person to hold the top ranking. Before Rahm, Dustin Johnson had been ranked No. 1, and prior to that, Justin Rose held the top spot.
Scheffler's success has been admired by former No. 1 golfers, who have marvelled at his historic run. His dominance has been compared to that of Tiger Woods, who held the number one position for 683 weeks in his career, including a run of 281 consecutive weeks.
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Adam Scott was No. 1 in 2015
Australian golfer Adam Scott was ranked as the world's number one golfer in 2015. Scott was the 17th golfer to be ranked number one since official rankings began, and the second Australian to achieve this feat. He first achieved this ranking on May 19, 2014, and held it for eleven weeks until August 2014. He strengthened his ranking with a win at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, becoming the first person to win all four Texas-based PGA Tour events.
Scott's rise to the top of the world rankings was the result of a stellar career that began with him winning the Australian Boys' Amateur in 1997 and 1998. He turned professional in 2000 and soon earned membership on the European Tour. Within three years, he had won four European Tour events. At the age of 23, Scott won the 2004 Players Championship, the flagship event on the PGA Tour, and subsequently played primarily in the United States. He won the Tour Championship in 2006 and rose into the top five of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Scott experienced a slump in 2009 and fell outside the top 50 of the world rankings. However, he was able to recover and rose back up the rankings, winning the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship in 2013. He also won the Australian Masters on November 16, 2013, finishing 14 shots under par. The following week, he won the team portion of the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf, alongside fellow Australian golfer Jason Day.
Scott continued his impressive form into 2014, becoming the world's number one ranked golfer in May. In addition to his win at the Crowne Plaza Invitational, he also had a runner-up finish at the CIMB Classic during the wrap-around 2016 season. He continued his strong performances in 2016, with another runner-up placing at the Northern Trust Open, and winning his 12th PGA Tour title at The Honda Classic. Scott's achievements have brought pride to the Australian golfing community, with CEO of the PGA of Australia, Brian Thorburn, praising his "outstanding achievement".
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Greg Norman held the No. 1 ranking for 331 weeks
As of August 2023, Scottie Scheffler is ranked No. 1 in golf. However, Greg Norman, an Australian former professional golfer, is known for his remarkable career and the distinction of holding the No. 1 ranking for 331 weeks. Norman's dominance in the world of golf is evident from his 88 professional tournament wins, including 20 PGA Tour victories and two majors.
Norman, nicknamed "The Great White Shark," first rose to prominence in 1974 at the Queensland Open. He turned professional in 1975 and soon established himself as one of the top golfers in the world. Norman's dedication to the sport and rigorous practice sessions contributed to his success. He became one of the most dominant players in the 1980s and 1990s, securing his position as a golfing legend.
During his career, Norman achieved numerous milestones and accolades. He won the British Open Championships in 1986 and 1993, showcasing his consistency and skill. Norman's performance in the 1986 Open Championship stands out, as he survived brutal conditions at Turnberry and won by five shots. This victory marked his first major title.
Norman's impact on the sport extends beyond his tournament wins. He earned the distinction of being the first person in PGA Tour history to surpass $10 million in career earnings. Additionally, he received three Arnold Palmer Awards as the Tour's leading money winner in 1986, 1989, and 1994. Norman's success on the course translated to significant financial achievements, solidifying his status as one of the most successful athletes in the sport.
Greg Norman's legacy in golf is undeniable, and his 331 weeks as the No. 1 ranked golfer is a testament to his talent and dedication. While the current No. 1 ranking is held by Scottie Scheffler, Norman's impact on the sport continues to resonate, inspiring golfers worldwide.
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Tiger Woods has held the No. 1 ranking for 683 weeks
As of June 15, 2025, Scottie Scheffler is ranked as the number one golfer in the world. However, Tiger Woods has dominated the sport for over a decade and has held the No. 1 ranking for a record-breaking total of 683 weeks. Woods first reached the No. 1 spot on June 16, 1997, and was most recently the top-ranked player on May 12, 2014. He held the top position for 281 consecutive weeks from December 6, 2005, to October 24, 2010, demonstrating an incredible period of sustained success.
Woods' remarkable talent and consistent performance kept him at the pinnacle of the golfing world for an astonishing 13 years. During this period, he achieved the feat of holding the number one position for an entire year in 2008, despite not competing for over six months due to knee surgery and recuperation. This highlights his ability to maintain his ranking even during periods of injury and recovery.
Tiger Woods' dominance in the sport is further emphasised by his achievement of holding the top spot for 264 consecutive weeks from August 8, 1999, to August 29, 2004. This was followed by another impressive streak, reinforcing his position as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
While Woods' record of 683 weeks at No. 1 is exceptional, other golfers have also had significant runs at the top. Greg Norman, for example, held the number one position for 331 weeks in the 1980s and 1990s, and Adam Scott became the second Australian to achieve the world's top ranking in 2015. More recently, Scottie Scheffler claimed the No. 1 ranking in 2022, showcasing the ongoing competition and pursuit of excellence in the sport.
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Rory McIlroy has been No. 1 twice, with a gap of 1,605 days between stints
Rory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer who has been ranked world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking twice. He first reached the number one position in 2012, becoming the second-youngest man to do so at 22 years old, behind Tiger Woods, who achieved the feat at 21. McIlroy spent over 100 weeks at the top of the ranking across his two stints, with a gap of 1,605 days between the two periods. This is the longest gap in OWGR history, surpassing the 1,100 days between Greg Norman's No. 1 stints in the 1990s.
McIlroy has had a successful career, winning five major championships and becoming one of six men to achieve a modern career grand slam, as well as being the first European to do so. He first reached number one on the World Amateur Golf Ranking as a 17-year-old in 2007, the same year he turned professional. In 2009, he achieved his first win on the European Tour, and in 2010, he won on the PGA Tour. McIlroy's first major championship victory came at the 2011 U.S. Open, and by 2014, he had won three more: the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championship, and the 2014 Open Championship.
McIlroy's first stint as world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking lasted 96 weeks, from February 2012 to September 2015. During this time, he continued to accumulate victories, including the 2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the 2014 PGA Championship. After a gap of 1,605 days, McIlroy returned to the number one ranking on February 10, 2020, overtaking Brooks Koepka.
McIlroy's second stint as world number one was shorter, lasting from February to May 2020. During this time, he secured a win in a charity skins game in May 2020, played under the nearest-pin shot rule, with Dustin Johnson. In July 2020, he lost his spot at world number one to Jon Rahm. Despite this, McIlroy continued to perform well, finishing in a tie for 8th place at the delayed 2020 U.S. Open and recording a top-5 finish at the 2020 Masters Tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
Scottie Scheffler is the current number one golfer in the world.
Scottie Scheffler has been the number one golfer for 95 consecutive weeks as of April 10, 2025.
Jon Rahm was the number one golfer before Scottie Scheffler.
Tiger Woods holds the record for the most weeks at number one, with 683 weeks in total.
Notable golfers who have been ranked number one in the world include Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Greg Norman, and Adam Scott.
