Scottie Scheffler continues to reign as the world's top-ranked golfer according to the latest Official World Golf Ranking update for the week of March 24, 2026.
The American maintains his commanding lead with an average of 15.34 points across 41 events, nearly doubling the point total of second-place Rory McIlroy, who holds 8.23 points from 47 events.
The biggest mover in this week's rankings was Matt Fitzpatrick, who surged nine positions from 15th to 6th place following his dramatic victory at the Valspar Championship. The Englishman demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure at Innisbrook Resort's notorious Copperhead Course.
Fitzpatrick's triumph came after a disappointing finish the previous week at The Players Championship, where he held a one-stroke lead with two holes remaining but bogeyed the final hole to lose his advantage.
The victory earned Fitzpatrick 4.96 average points from 49 events, tying him with fifth-place Xander Schauffele in point average but giving him the higher ranking due to fewer events played.
Cameron Young holds third place with 5.41 points, representing a remarkable rise from his 19th position in the 2025 final rankings. Tommy Fleetwood occupies fourth place with 5.30 points across 51 events.
Notable movements in the top 20 include Chris Gotterup climbing to 10th place from his previous 28th ranking, while Jacob Bridgeman made an impressive leap from 81st to 17th position.
The Official World Golf Ranking system awards points from eligible tours and events to participating players over a rolling two-year period. Players are ranked based on their average points per event, with points maintaining full value for 13 weeks before being reduced in equal decrements.
Currently, 24 professional golf tours worldwide are eligible for OWGR points, ranging from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to regional circuits like the All Thailand Golf Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India. Major championships including The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship also contribute points to the ranking system.
Fitzpatrick's climb to sixth place represents a significant milestone in his 2026 campaign, positioning him among the elite players heading into the season's major championships. His ability to bounce back from disappointment at The Players Championship demonstrates the mental fortitude that has made him one of golf's most consistent performers.