Justin Rose’s remarkable come from behind win at the WGC-HSBC Champions has lifted him to sixth in the world but there was not much good news from a local front this week, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Rose moved up seven places – his highest ranking in over two years – on Monday after sealing his dramatic comeback in Shanghai on Sunday as Dustin Johnson blew a commanding six-shot lead.
The Englishman’s Ryder Cup teammate Rory McIlroy, who did not win a tournament all season, dropped to his lowest ranking in over three years when he moved down to ninth as a result of US Open champion Brooks Koepka’s second-place finish.
Branden Grace was South Africa’s best place finisher when he secured a T15 result following rounds of 74-69-72-69. The 29-year-old moved up three places to 42nd and remains SA’s third highest-ranked player behind Louis Oosthuizen (did not play) and Charl Schwartzel (T50). Oosthuizen remains 23rd in the world with Schwartzel down one to 32.
Dylan Frittelli dropped out of the top 100 – to 103 from 100th last week – mainly as a result of American Chesson Hadley’s solid performance at the Sanderson Farms Championship where he finished second to Ryan Armour.
Haydn Porteous, who started so well in his debut at a WGC event, moved up to 200th from 214 despite following his opening 66 with rounds of 74, 74 and 75. He started the year in 308th place but his win at the D+D Real Czech Masters lifted him inside the top 200 before three missed cuts in his last six events has seen a slight rankings decline.
Recent Challenge Tour winner Erik Van Rooyen dropped out of the top 200 after a finish in a share of 17th place at the Ras Al Khaimah 2017 Golf Challenge saw him drop eight places to 204.
World top 10:
1. Dustin Johnson (USA) 11.88 average points
2. Jordan Spieth (USA) 10.00
3. Justin Thomas (USA) 9.16
4. Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 8.55
5. Jon Rahm (ESP) 7.63
6. Justin Rose (ENG) 6.86 (+7)
7. Brooks Koepka (USA) 6.58 (+4)
8. Henrik Stenson (SWE) 6.49 (+1)
9. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 6.44 (-3)
10. Rickie Fowler (USA) 6.34 (-3)
Top 10 South African rankings:
Louis Oosthuizen – 23
Charl Schwartzel – 32
Branden Grace – 42
Dylan Fritelli – 103
Richard Sterne – 121
George Coetzee – 123
Brandon Stone– 133
Dean Burmester – 150
Jaco Van Zyl – 193
Haydn Porteous – 200
Photo: Twitter
