Tiger Woods Up To World Number 26

The 14-time major winner has risen well over 1,000 places in the OWGR since his return in December

Tiger Woods Up To World Number 26
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Since his return in December, Tiger Woods has risen well over 1,000 places in the Official World Golf Ranking

Tiger Woods Up To World Number 26

Go back prior to the Hero World Challenge less than a year ago and Tiger Woods was ranked 1,199th in the world.

He has just recovered from a fourth back surgery and did not even know if he'd be able to complete 72 holes whilst walking, let alone compete in a golf tournament.

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Look today and you'll see that the 14-time major winner now sits at 26th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

That's an increase of 1,173 places in nine months.

Woods went into the Hero World Challenge in December ranked 1,199th in the world and a 15th place finish catapulted him up over 500 places to number 668.

Since then, it has been an upward trajectory.

Woods' T6th finish at The Open propelled him to world number 50 which, crucially, got him into the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational for last hurrah at Firestone where he has won eight times.

His 2nd place at Bellerive in the USPGA then moved him up inside the world's top 30 for his highest ranking since December 2014.

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Woods' last day of 64 was his lowest ever final round on Sunday. As things currently stand, he is healthy and playing great golf.

He looks highly likely to be a captain's pick for the Ryder Cup and will also fancy his chances in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

The 42-year-old is now ranked 20th in the FedEx Cup standings so looks highly likely to progress to the Tour Championship at East Lake.

It is remarkable to be writing this, but it is now seriously realistic that Woods can get himself back into the world's top 10.

As ridiculous as it may sound, Tiger, if he can stay healthy for the next couple of years, maybe, just maybe, could reach the world number one position again one day.

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV