Let’s all agree that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is still the man to beat. Scheffler’s postseason surge erased doubts about his season. However, Rory McIlroy’s climb and Wyndham Clark’s breakthrough hyped up the season.
The Power 18 prioritizes recent performance, and heading into the season finale, golf fans were divided regarding who was having the best season. Some said Clark; others brought McIlroy into the conversation. However, Scheffler ended the debate at East Lake.
What initially looked like a “down” season for Scheffler was turned around in the postseason. Victories at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and the Tour Championship, coupled with the January win at The American Express, sealed the top spot for the 30-year-old.
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 30: Scottie Scheffler holds up the winners trophy after the fourth and final round of the PGA, Golf Herren Tour Championship on August 30, 2026 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire GOLF: AUG 30 PGA Tour Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon9532608301084
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 30: Scottie Scheffler holds up the winners trophy after the fourth and final round of the PGA, Golf Herren Tour Championship on August 30, 2026 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire GOLF: AUG 30 PGA Tour Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon9532608301084
The world No. 1 is followed by world No. 2 McIlroy in the Power 18 golf rankings. The Ulsterman successfully defended his Masters title in April. The 37-year-old couldn’t improve on last year’s rankings even with a strong postseason.
Six-time PGA Tour winner Wyndham Clark’s three wins and three top-five finishes demonstrated consistency. Winning his second U.S. Open title at Shinnecock Hills with the crowd against him was something for the ages. He is placed third.
Five-time PGA Tour winner Sam Burns did all he could for a win. With top-10 finishes at three majors and a T3 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the world No. 9 is placed fourth.
World No. 7 Chris Gotterup tied Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Clark for most wins this season, with three of his five PGA Tour victories coming in 2026. He finishes fifth on the list.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick had a strong start to the season. He racked up three wins in early summer, but his major season was not up to the mark. Still, the early-season dominance puts him at sixth.
At seventh comes Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg. His best bit came at the end with finishes of T7 at the St. Jude Championship, T16 at the BMW Championship, and T4 at the Tour Championship.
South Korean pro Si Woo Kim’s consistency, second only to Scheffler in top-10 finishes, earns him 8th.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the rankings.
Consistency carries Henley, Fleetwood into Top 18
37-year-old Russell Henley won his sixth PGA Tour title at Colonial and is placed ninth on the list.
World No. 3 Cameron Young finishes 10th with two wins this season. His poor finish to the season brought him down the rankings.
With 13 top-20 finishes and four top-five results, fan favorite Tommy Fleetwood failed to secure a victory. His consistency guarantees him the 11th spot.
Two-time major winner Xander Schauffele went the entire PGA Tour season without winning. A runner-up finish at the Rocket Classic and T7 at the St. Jude Championship place him at 12th.
Travelers Championship winner Viktor Hovland finishes 13th; AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner Collin Morikawa follows at 14th, and BMW Championship runner-up Patrick Cantlay is placed 15th.
Ryan Gerard’s omission from the US Presidents Cup team has raised eyebrows considering the season he had. With seven top-10 finishes, he comes in at 16th.
2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama finishes 17th, and LIV man Jon Rahm comes in 18th.
