Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

It’s official: men’s golf will have a new world No.1 from next week.

The man currently at the top of the pile, Brooks Koepka, could do no better than tie for 17th place in the Saudi International.

Consequently, no matter what happens this week, Rory McIlroy will leapfrog the American and take over the top spot when the rankings update again next Monday. 

This will be the Northern Irishman’s eighth spell as No.1 but his first since September 2015.

• PGA Tour pro retires after missing cut in Phoenix

• G-Mac hit with bizarre slow play warning

Should McIlroy spend more than three weeks at the top, he will overtake Sir Nick Faldo on the list of players with most weeks at number one. He’s currently on 95 weeks in total, with Faldo on 97.

WATCH – CALLAWAY MAVRIK vs EPIC FLASH

McIlroy overtaking Koepka comes just three-and-a-half months after the American played down talk of a rivalry between the two players. 

• First Scots course closure of 2020 confirmed

• If the Ryder Cup was played today…

“I’ve been out here for what, five years?” said Koepka. “Rory hasn’t won a major since I’ve been on the PGA Tour. So I don’t view it as a rivalry.”

“I’m not looking at anybody behind me. I’m number
one in the world. I’ve got open road in front of me. I’m not looking in
the rearview mirror.”

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship