Weekly Rankings of Golf Newsmakers
Every Wednesday, SI Golf will highlight nine notable figures from the golf world. Join the discussion on our SI Golf X account.
1. Keegan Bradley
Keegan Bradley clinched victory at the Travelers Championship with a birdie on the final hole, alongside a missed putt from Tommy Fleetwood, moving him up to No. 7 in the world rankings. This win has sparked speculation about Bradley potentially becoming the first playing captain for the U.S. Ryder Cup team since Arnold Palmer in 1963. The debate surrounding his capacity to juggle both roles will continue until the U.S. team is finalized later this summer.
2. Minjee Lee
Taking the title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship under tough conditions, Minjee Lee secured her third major win. If she triumphs at the AIG Women’s British Open this summer, she would become the eighth female golfer to achieve the career Grand Slam.
3. Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood, 34, is still in search of his first victory, having experienced a tough finish at the Travelers Championship despite leading by three strokes after 54 holes. He holds an all-time record of 42 top-10 finishes on Tour without a win, and while he expressed frustration about his latest setback, there remains a sense of optimism for his eventual breakthrough.
4. Wyndham Clark
Wyndham Clark faced criticism after damaging a historic locker during the U.S. Open, marking his second outburst at a major. When questioned about it at the Travelers, he acknowledged regret but emphasized his desire to move forward and focus on making the Ryder Cup team and contending for the FedExCup playoffs.
5. Jordan Spieth
In a first for his career, Jordan Spieth withdrew from an event due to a neck injury, cutting short his round at the Travelers after twelve holes. As he seeks his first victory since 2022, this marks his second injury in consecutive years, which may impact his Ryder Cup ambitions.
6. Stacy Lewis
Stacy Lewis voiced strong criticism regarding the setup at PGA Frisco, where many players were unhappy. After missing the cut, she remarked on the necessity of improving conditions to attract more viewers to women’s golf, highlighting the inconsistency in setups during major broadcasts.
7. Justin Thomas
After a disappointing round at the Travelers Championship where he flung his driver in frustration, Justin Thomas experienced a dramatic fall from contention. Despite holding the lead at the halfway point, his actions raised questions about sportsmanship.
8. Russell Henley
Russell Henley delivered a commendable performance by chipping in for a birdie on the final hole, nearly securing a playoff spot. Notably, he called a penalty on himself during Round 2, demonstrating integrity and a teachable moment for his son, possibly earning him future goodwill.
9. Viktor Hovland
Also withdrawing from the Travelers, Viktor Hovland forfeited a considerable prize after pulling out with a neck injury following a third-place finish at the U.S. Open. Despite the high stakes, it’s essential to respect players’ decisions to withdraw due to health concerns.
Notable Mentions
Considerations for this week included Harry Hall, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Auston Kim, and Maja Stark.
Players Dropped from Last Week: J.J. Spaun, Brian Rolapp, Jay Monahan, Rory McIlroy, Sam Burns, Robert MacIntyre, Phil Mickelson, Tyrrell Hatton, Tiger Woods.
