SI World Golf Rankings: Viktor Hovland's Bold Statement

Hovland scorched Olympia Fields on Sunday and made a move in this week's SI World Golf Rankings. See how high he climbed in our latest list.

Author:
Jeff Ritter
Publish date:
Aug 21, 2023

Viktor Hovland caught fire Sunday at the BMW Championship, and in addition to scorching Olympia Fields with a course-record 61, Hovland won the event and made a move 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. Hovland is up two spots this week to a career-best No. 4.

Hovland is another an example of the how SIWGR emphasizes current form in its calculations. Here’s how we run our numbers. (Hovland is currently No. 5 in the Official Golf World Rankings.)

Hovland has already locked up a spot on the European Ryder Cup roster, but both U.S. captain Zach Johnson and European captain Luke Donald will soon make six at-large selections to fill out their teams. If you’re curious how the SIWGR would advise Johnson to make his six U.S. picks, we ran those numbers this week.

Here's a closer look at the risers and fallers in this week’s Sports Illustrated World Golf Rankings. Look for more movement next Monday at the conclusion of the Tour Championship.

3 Risers in the SI World Golf Rankings

Viktor Hovland - Up 2 Spots

This Week: 4

Last Week: 6

Skinny: Not much higher for the young Norwegian left to climb, but he indeed leveled up with his statement win at the BMW. Suddenly a good bet at East Lake and perhaps the last person a U.S. Ryder Cupper would want to face next month in Rome.

Matt Fitzpatrick - Up 9 Spots

Matt Fitzpatrick hits a bunker shot in the first round of the 2023 U.S. Open. — Lindsey Wasson/AP

This Week: 16

Last Week: 25

Skinny: T2 at the BMW Championship while hanging in all afternoon. Has had an uneven summer but may be finding form just in time for Rome.

Adam Svensson - Up 5 Spots

Adam Svensson hits his fairway shot on the fourth hole during the second round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions. — Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

This Week: 71

Last Week: 76

Skinny: Didn’t make the top 30 to earn a spot at East Lake but gave it a run with a T15 at the BMW.

3 Fallers in the Latest SI World Golf Rankings

Kurt Kitayama - Down 5 Spots

Kurt Kitayama watches a shot at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. — Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports

This Week: 26

Last Week: 21

Skinny: The man known to his buddies as “Quadzilla” is about as streaky as they come. Didn’t have it last week while finishing T41 out of 50 players to whiff on a spot at East Lake.

Sepp Straka - Down 5 Spots

This Week: 27

Last Week: 22

Skinny: Squeaked into East Lake as the 30th man in the field after a Sunday 66 was just enough to extend his season. Still finished T37 in the event and almost played himself out of it.

Adam Scott - Down 9 Spots

Adam Scott watches a shot at the 2023 British Open at Royal Liverpool. — Peter Morrison/AP

This Week: 61

Last Week: 52

Skinny: Failed to qualify for the playoffs after finishing just outside the FedEx top 70. Second straight week of inaction while his peers continue to play accelerates his decline.