Another week, another milestone in the young career of Viktor Hovland.
After rising to a career-best No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking last week, the 24-year-old Norwegian star climbed another two spots following his victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.
Hovland rallied from six shots back to claim his third victory in his past five worldwide starts. In doing so, the former Oklahoma State standout leapfrogged Americans Patrick Cantlay and Dustin Johnson and is now behind only Spain’s Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa of the U.S.
Rahm tied for third at the Farmers Insurance Open while Morikawa claimed a share of 18th in Dubai.
Among the players Hovland raced past with his closing 66 on Sunday was Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman finished solo third, good enough to move him up two spots to No. 6, ahead of Americans Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama rounds out the top 10 following his T30 at Torrey Pines.
Cantlay is the only top-10 player in this week’s field at the ATT Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he is the pre-tournament favorite at 700 by DraftKings.
The biggest move of the week belonged to Luke List, who catapulted 95 spots to 56th with his playoff victory at the Farmers Insurance Open.
List’s career-high is 45th, but he had dropped as low as 190th after missing the cut at the Sony Open to begin 2021. Torrey Pines clearly suits the 37-year-old, as he finished T10 at the event last year to climb back to No. 159.
In claiming his first PGA Tour victory, List denied a maiden victory for rising star Will Zalatoris. Zalatoris settled for a par and second place on the first playoff hole, but still moved up seven spots to No. 29 in the world. He also finished runner-up at last year’s Masters.
Rickie Fowler, who missed his second cut in as many events to begin 2022, has dropped to 108th. Good friend Jordan Spieth also failed to reach the weekend and slipped one spot to No. 15.
–Field Level Media
