With the major season wrapped and Scottie Scheffler claiming his first Claret Jug, it’s the perfect time to re-rank the world’s top 25 men’s pro golfers. The B/R golf team evaluated recent performances to update the leaderboard as the 2025 season heads into its final stretch. Our list features top talent from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Check out the full rankings and share your thoughts in the comments.
Nos. 25-21
25. Justin Rose
At 44, Rose turned heads with a runner-up finish at the Masters but struggled afterward, recording just one top-10 in seven starts before tying for 16th at Royal Portrush.
24. Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre rebounded from a missed cut at Augusta with strong showings, including a runner-up at the U.S. Open and a T-7 at the Open after sitting T-5 through 36 holes.
23. Shane Lowry
Returning to Royal Portrush didn’t spark a repeat for the 2019 Open champ, who tied for 40th. Still, Lowry has four top-10s this season while chasing his first win since 2022.
22. Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton opened 2025 with a win at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and has three LIV top-10s. A solid Open performance included rounds of 68–69 en route to a T-16 finish.
21. Corey Conners
Conners remains a model of consistency, making 17 cuts in 18 events. He placed eighth at the Masters and owns five top-10s this season, including a weekend push at the Open.
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Nos. 20-16
20. Sam Burns
Turning 29 this week, Burns peaked at No. 9 in 2022 and has added just one win since. Still, he finished runner-up at the Canadian Open and tied for seventh at the U.S. Open.
19. Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay briefly returned to the world top 10 in early 2025 but has just three top-10s in 16 starts. A missed cut at the Open followed rounds of 73 and 72.
18. Maverick McNealy
McNealy made a major leap in 2025, climbing from 30th to 10th in the world rankings. He’s posted five top-10s—including a runner-up and a third—before finishing T-23 at the Open.
17. Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama opened 2025 with a win at The Sentry but hasn’t cracked the top 10 since. Still, he’s delivered solid major play with top 10s at all but the Open this year.
16. Harris English
English claimed his sixth career title at the Farmers in January and surged to a U.S. Open runner-up with a Sunday 65. He also held a share of the Open lead after Round 1 and finished solo second.
Nos. 15-11
15. Viktor Hovland
Hovland, once ranked as high as No. 3 in the world, ended talk of a major drought with steady 2025 form. He claimed his 11th career title with a one-shot win at the Valspar in March.
14. Ludvig Åberg
Åberg edged out McNealy to win the Genesis Invitational in February and placed seventh at the Masters. A second-round 67 helped him make the cut at Royal Portrush, where he finished T-23.
13. Ben Griffin
Griffin broke through with a win at the Charles Schwab Challenge and added a runner-up at the Memorial. Despite strong form, a 74–70 at the Open left him short of the weekend.
12. J.J. Spaun
Spaun made headlines with a two-shot U.S. Open win—his biggest career moment. That was one of five top-10s in 19 starts this season, capped by a T-23 finish in his Open debut.
11. Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood continues to build his résumé with wins in seven different years. His 2025 highlights include a T-2 at the Travelers and a solid T-16 showing at Royal Portrush.
Nos. 10-6
10. Collin Morikawa
Though Morikawa missed the cut at the Open with rounds of 75–74, his consistency remains elite. The two-time major champ has won in five of the last six seasons, including the 2020 PGA and 2021 Open.
9. Keegan Bradley
Bradley continues to shine more than a decade after his 2011 PGA win. He’s added wins in six separate years, most recently edging Fleetwood at the 2025 Travelers Championship.
8. Sepp Straka
Straka has broken through in 2025 with wins at the American Express and Truist Championship—both by two shots—and six top-10s overall. He’s one of this season’s most consistent contenders.
7. Russell Henley
Henley has been a fixture near the top all season, notching eight top-10s in 14 events and a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He also tied for 10th at the Open.
6. Xander Schauffele
Schauffele remains one of golf’s most reliable stars, with major wins at the 2024 British and PGA. He added a T-7 at Royal Portrush and continues his run inside the world top 10 since 2019.
Justin Thomas
A former world No. 1 and two-time PGA champion (2017, 2022), Thomas returned to form in 2025 with a playoff win at the RBC Heritage—his first victory since his last major. He’s made 15 cuts in 17 starts this season, including a T-34 finish at Royal Portrush after weekend rounds of 69 and 71.
Bryson DeChambeau
A standout on the LIV Golf tour, DeChambeau added another win in 2025 with a 19-under performance in Korea. He’s also remained a major force, winning the U.S. Open in 2020 and 2024, and earning top-fives at both the Masters and PGA this year. Despite opening with a 78 at Royal Portrush, he rebounded with rounds of 65–68–64 to finish T-10. Known for his power and fan appeal, he continues to be one of golf’s most electrifying talents.
Jon Rahm
A marquee name on the LIV Golf tour, DeChambeau won twice in 2023 and added a dominant 19-under victory in Korea this May. He’s stayed relevant on the major stage, capturing U.S. Open titles in 2020 and 2024, along with top-five finishes at the Masters and PGA in 2025. After a rough opening 78 at Royal Portrush, he bounced back with a blazing 65–68–64 to tie for 10th. “He’s the most charismatic, fun player to watch,” said Phil Mickelson. “He connects with fans and brings incredible energy.”
Rory McIlroy
The most accomplished player on this list, McIlroy has racked up three wins in 2025, highlighted by an emotional Masters victory that completed his career Grand Slam and marked his fifth major title. He’s logged eight top-10s in 13 starts, including wins at Pebble Beach and the Players. A second-round 69 helped him climb to a T-7 finish at the Open after entering the weekend tied for 12th.
Scottie Scheffler
Scheffler silenced any lingering doubts with a dominant four-shot win at Royal Portrush—his first Open title and fourth major overall. A Friday 64, the tournament’s best round until DeChambeau matched it Sunday, separated him from the field. He opened the final round with birdies on holes 1, 4, and 5, stretching a four-shot lead to seven and slamming the door on the competition. While his major tally may not yet rival Jack or Tiger, Scheffler’s current dominance puts him well ahead of his peers—and a favorite in every event he enters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the top 25 ranking determined?
The rankings are based on recent performance, major results, consistency across PGA and LIV events, and overall impact during the 2025 season. Wins, top-10 finishes, and strength of competition are all key factors.
Why did Scottie Scheffler move up the rankings?
Scheffler’s commanding victory at the British Open—his fourth career major—solidified his status among golf’s elite. His performance at Royal Portrush, including a Friday 64 and dominant final round, played a major role in boosting his ranking.
Are LIV Golf players included in the rankings?
Yes, the list considers top talent from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Notable LIV players like Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton are evaluated based on their performances across all major and tour events.
Who made the biggest jump in this ranking?
Maverick McNealy saw the most significant rise, climbing from outside the top 25 into the top 20 thanks to a string of top finishes, including a second-place result and strong major showings.
What caused some players to drop in the rankings?
Players like Patrick Cantlay and Shane Lowry dropped due to missed cuts, inconsistent finishes, or a lack of recent wins. Performance in key tournaments, especially majors, had a strong influence.
Is this ranking based on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR)?
No, while the OWGR is considered, this list is independently compiled by the B/R golf team, focusing on recent form, major results, and season-long impact—not just global ranking points.
How often are these rankings updated?
This ranking is updated following major championships and other significant tour events. Expect changes after the FedEx Cup playoffs and LIV season finale.
Conclusion
With the final major of the 2025 season in the books, the landscape of men’s professional golf has never been more competitive—or more exciting. Scottie Scheffler’s emphatic British Open win cements his place near the top, but a deep field of contenders from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are closing in fast. From rising stars like Ludvig Åberg to resurgent veterans like Justin Thomas, this updated top 25 reflects the evolving power dynamic in the sport. As the season heads into its final stretch, expect more movement, more drama, and no shortage of world-class golf.
