SI World Golf Rankings: Lucas Glover Is a (43-Year-Old) Man on Fire
Lucas Glover is, as they say, riding the wave.
Glover is enjoying the best stretch of his career at age 43, and Sunday he took down Patrick Cantlay in sudden death at the St. Jude Championship for wins in back-to-back weeks. Glover banked $3.6 million for his latest title, and he’s reached a new high in this week’s Sports Illustrated World Golf Rankings: No. 19. Two weeks ago Glover was No. 100 on our list, and he’s an example of the how SI emphasizes current form in its calculations. Here’s how we crunch the numbers. (Glover is currently No. 30 in the Official Golf World Rankings.)
Glover’s rise has opened a few other doors: He’s No. 3 in the FedEx playoff standings and a lock to make the top 30 next week and advance to the Tour Championship at East Lake. He’s also up to No. 16 in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings, and, whatever happens this week, he is quite likely on U.S. captain Zach Johnson’s radar for a potential pick.
As a reminder, the SI World Golf Rankings are our proprietary, data-driven list of the top men’s golfers in the world right now, which looks at performances across all pro tours, including LIV Golf. Cam Smith stormed to the title Sunday at the LIV Bedminster event for his second LIV victory in three starts, and he’s back in the top 10 in this week’s SIWGR. Here’s the full rundown of big movers.
Three Risers in the SI World Golf Rankings
Lucas Glover - Up 34 Spots
This Week: 19
Last Week: 53
Skinny: Staked his claim as the hottest golfer on the planet by beating an elite field in Memphis for his second straight PGA Tour title and seventh of his career.
Tommy Fleetwood - Up 8
George Walker IV/AP
This Week: 12
Last Week: 20
Skinny: Still winless on the PGA Tour but perhaps not for long, as his form continues to be strong. Tied for third in Memphis after hanging around the lead all weekend.
Anirban Lahiri – Up 21 Spots
This Week: 61
Last Week: 82
Skinny: Solo second behind Cam Smith at the LIV Golf Bedminster event.
Three Fallers in the Latest SI World Golf Rankings
Tony Finau - Down 10 Spots
Adam Scott - Down 6 Spots
This Week: 52
Last Week: 46
Skinny: Narrowly missed cracking the top 70 in the FedEx last week and earning a spot in the field at the St. Jude. The DNP cost him ranking points on our list.
Austin Eckroat - Down 12 Spots
Kyle Robertson/USA TODAY Network
This Week: 100
Last Week: 88
Skinny: Like Scott, failed to qualify for Memphis and did not earn ranking points last week.