Adam Scott strengthened his grip on the world No. 1 ranking by winning the Crowne Plaza Invitational. Scott, who was in danger of losing the top spot after one week, is now 1.15 points clear of new No. 2 Henrik Stenson.
Stenson finished T-7 at the European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship, putting the pressure on Scott to perform well at Colonial to stay atop the Official World Golf Ranking. Scott did just that, shooting 66 and defeating Jason Dufner in a playoff.
Stenson wasn’t able to reach No. 1 – this week – but he did overtake Tiger Woods for No. 2. Woods, who has been sidelined since back surgery in March, is now 1.3 points behind Scott and 0.14 points behind Stenson.
Scott’s stay at the top could have some legs. Golf Channel world-ranking expert Alan Robison says Scott cannot lose his ranking at this week’s Memorial Tournament, and there may be no scenario to overtake him until the U.S. Open.
The biggest move inside the top 10 belonged to Rory McIlroy. The Ulsterman won at Wentworth to rise to No. 6, from No. 10. The full top 10 is: Scott, Stenson, Woods, Matt Kuchar, Bubba Watson, McIlroy, Jason Day, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth.
Phil Mickelson remained outside the top 10, in the 11th spot.
Colonial runner-up Dufner rose to No. 15, from 22nd. BMW PGA silver medalist Shane Lowry went from 142nd to 74th.
Top 25 (as of 5/26/14)
1. Adam Scott
2. Henrik Stenson
3. Tiger Woods
4. Matt Kuchar
5. Bubba Watson
6. Rory McIlroy
7. Jason Day
8. Sergio Garcia
9. Justin Rose
10. Jordan Spieth
11. Phil Mickelson
12. Jim Furyk
13. Zach Johnson
14. Dustin Johnson
15. Jason Dufner
16. Luke Donald
17. Jimmy Walker
18. Graeme McDowell
19. Steve Stricker
20. Charl Schwartzel
21. Ian Poulter
22. Thomas Bjorn
23. Keegan Bradley
24. Hideki Matsuyama
25. Victor Dubuisson
