SI World Golf Rankings: Ludvig Aberg Proves He’s Ryder Cup-Ready
Ludvig Aberg hoisted a trophy at the Omega European Masters, and then landed an even bigger prize when Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald named the 23-year-old as one of his six wild card picks. So, Aberg’s star has never been brighter, and with the win he’s up 11 spots to No. 117 in this week’s Sports Illustrated World Golf Rankings, our proprietary, data-driven list of the top 100 men’s golfers in the world right now. (Here’s how we run our numbers.)
And so the Ryder Cup rosters are set for the competition in Rome in three weeks. But the DP World Tour continues this week, where several future Ryder Cuppers are in the field, including Shane Lowry. There will still be movement in the SIWGR as top players continue to compete this fall.
Here's a closer look at the risers and fallers in this week’s Sports Illustrated World Golf Rankings.
3 Risers in the SI World Golf Rankings
Ludvig Aberg
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
This Week: 117
Last Week: 128
Skinny: The Tour rookie birdied four of his last five holes on Sunday in Switzerland to win his first DP World Tour event and bag a Ryder Cup captain’s pick in the process. Once the top-ranked amateur in the world, Aberg is already in rarified air as a pro.
Adrian Meronk - Up 2 Spots
Orlando Ramirez/USA TODAY Sports
This Week: 142
Last Week: 144
Skinny: Meronk isn’t the biggest riser, but he’s notable for being perhaps Luke Donald’s biggest snub among his captain’s picks. Meronk was in contention at the Omega European Masters before finishing T13. In the end, not enough for Luke Donald.
Nicolai Hojgaard – Up 2 Spots
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
This Week: 127
Last Week: 129
Skinny: Another of Luke Donald’s captain’s picks, Hojgaard, who has a twin brother named Rasmus, tied for fifth in Switzerland. The 22-year-old Dane joins Aberg in the new wave of European Ryder Cuppers.
3 Fallers in the SI World Golf Rankings
Dustin Johnson - Down 5 Spots
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
This Week: 33
Last Week: 28
Skinny: The SIWGR awards points for LIV Golf events, but the LIV tour has been off since the Aug. 13 Bedminster event, so DJ and his fellow LIV players have not earned points in the SIWGR since then. LIV next plays Sept. 22-24 in Chicago.
Joaquin Niemann – Down 8 Spots
Mark Baker/AP
This Week: 65
Last Week: 57
Skinny: Another LIV Golfer who has not earned points toward the SIWGR in more than a month.
Jason Kokrak – Down 9 Spots
Golffile | Eoin Clarke
This Week: 97
Last Week: 106
Skinny: Like his LIV colleagues, no points earned since Bedminster.