Dustin Johnson will start Thursday’s US Open as the world No 1 while SA’s best retained their rankings as they head to Shinnecock Hills.
Johnson enjoyed the perfect buildup to the US Open, the only Major in his collection of 18 PGA Tour wins, with a six-shot win at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
The win not only served as ideal practice but moved him back on top of the world rankings after Justin Thomas’ short stay as the world’s best player.
Johnson now leads the way from Thomas with Justin Rose third. Jon Rahm was bumped into fifth place by Jordan Spieth. Rory McIlroy sits in sixth place ahead of Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, defending US Open champion Brooks Koepka and Hideki Matsuyama.
Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace remain in 33rd and 34th place respectively after skipping the Memphis trip. Despite finishing bottom of the pile of those making the cut this week, Charl Schwartzel was unmoved in 44th place with Dylan Frittelli still in 61st after sitting out the Shot Clock Masters in Austria in favour of preparing States-side for his US Open debut.
T3 in Austria, Justin Walters moved up 90 places to 361 in the world in a week where none of the top 10-ranked South Africans made a positive move.
Oliver Bekker, who finished T11 at the Challenge Tour’s KPMG Trophy, moved up four places to 205 in the world and is now SA’s 12th-ranked player behind Justin Harding.
Top 10 South African rankings:
Louis Oosthuizen – 33
Branden Grace – 34
Charl Schwartzel – 44
Dylan Frittelli – 61
George Coetzee – 106
Dean Burmester – 114
Shaun Norris – 123
Darren Fichardt – 127
Erik van Rooyen – 148
Rory Sabbatini – 153
