Luke Clanton Breaks into Top 100 in OWGR
American amateur golfer Luke Clanton has achieved a significant milestone by entering the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). Following an outstanding runner-up finish at The RSM Classic, Clanton surged from 155th to 93rd, leapfrogging 2022 Open Champion Cameron Smith, who now sits at 100th.
Stellar 2024 Season for Clanton
Clanton’s performances on the PGA Tour this year have been remarkable, especially for an amateur. He has competed in eight tournaments, securing two runner-up finishes, including a tied second place at The John Deere Classic in July and The RSM Classic last week.
At The RSM Classic, Clanton carded rounds of 68, 65, 68, and 66, finishing tied for second. Earlier in the year, he posted a top-10 finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and claimed fifth place at the Wyndham Championship.
Cam Smith Slips in OWGR Amid LIV Golf Participation
While Clanton climbs the rankings, Cameron Smith’s position has been impacted by his move to LIV Golf, which does not award OWGR points. Smith, once ranked second globally, has fallen to 100th.
Smith, however, continues to shine on the LIV Golf circuit, with three runner-up finishes this season in events held in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UK. He also performed well in Major championships, finishing tied for sixth at the Masters and 32nd at the U.S. Open.
Smith briefly regained the 100th spot after finishing second at the BMW Australian PGA Championship, a DP World Tour event that awards ranking points.
Current OWGR Leaders
Scottie Scheffler remains the world’s top-ranked golfer, followed by Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy. LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau, bolstered by his 2024 U.S. Open victory, is the only player from the Saudi-backed league in the OWGR top 10, currently ranked ninth.
Rising Star: Luke Clanton
Clanton’s breakthrough into the top 100 of the OWGR marks him as a rising star in the golf world. His consistent performance on the PGA Tour, despite his amateur status, signals a bright future as he continues to make waves in the sport.
SOURCE: Sportskeeda.com