SI World Golf Rankings: To the Viktor Goes the Spoils
Viktor Hovland established himself as a big-event threat once and for all on Sunday at Memorial, where after a season of close-calls and near-misses, he beat Denny McCarthy in sudden death to win the Memorial, which is one of the Tour’s designated events of 2023 and therefore offered a massive $3.6 million first-place check.
Hovland moved up to No. 6 in the new SI World Golf Rankings released Monday, June 5. But with such an elite field at the Memorial, there were other big movers up and down our list. (See how we do it here.)
3 Risers in the SI World Golf Rankings
1
Viktor Hovland
This Week: 6
Last Week: 8
Skinny: A two-spot jump isn’t a big move on the surface, but symbolically Hovland has now reached the upper tier of players in the rankings. Still two majors to go this summer and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him win either one.
2
Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
Si Woo Kim
This Week: 23
Last Week: 40
Skinny: Drifted a bit after winning Sony Open in January, but tied for second at the Byron Nelson in May before a solo fourth at Jack’s place.
3
Golffile | Pedro Salado
Denny McCarthy
This Week: 29
Last Week: 56
Skinny: Kicking away Memorial with bogeys on the 72nd hole and first hole of sudden death will sting, but still a player on the rise with a putting stroke that will play anywhere.
3 Fallers in the New SI World Golf Rankings
1
Chris Carlson/AP
Patrick Cantlay
This Week: 7
Last Week: 5
Skinny: Like Hovland, this move is symbolic, but Cantlay's winless year continued at Memorial, where he never contended and finished T30.
2
Mark Baker/AP
Joaquin Niemann
This Week: 54
Last Week: 40
Skinny: No LIV event last week so no opportunity to earn points, as the SIWGR awards points for LIV and all men’s pro events in the world. But Niemann’s quiet summer at LIV and in the majors is catching up to him.
3
Jordan Prather/USA Today
Trey Mullinax
This Week: 98
Last Week: 90
Skinny: MC at the Memorial.