Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen were the only positive movers among the top 10 South Africans as French Open winner Tommy Fleetwood moved to 15th place, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
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Neither Schwartzel or Oosthuizen were in action at the French Open or Quicken Loans National, but moved up two and one spots respectively.
The only change in the top 10 is Sergio Garcia moving above Jason Day into sixth place, with Dustin Johnson still holding a commanding lead as the year’s third Major approaches later this month. The American leads from Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy.
Rickie Fowler squandered a chance to win on Sunday as he made a late double to halt an incredible run of birdies, which got him within one of the lead. A win for Fowler would’ve moved him up from ninth place – one better than US Open winner Brooks Koepka. Kyle Stanley saw off veteran Charles Howell III to claim his first win in five years and enjoy a rankings boost of 36 places to move up to 58th in the world.
READ: Stanley re-enters winner’s circle after dramatic Sunday
Just four of the 15 South Africans that began the French Open made the cut, but none of the quartet – Haydn Porteous, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Richard Sterne and Thomas Aiken – managed to kick on, with scoring difficult at Le Golf National – site of the 2018 Ryder Cup. While scoring was difficult for most, it was not the case for US Open contender Tommy Fleetwood, who put on an imperious display as he found fairways and greens with ease en route to his win. The Englishman moved up 6 places to 15th in the world as The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale looms near his hometown.
ALSO READ: Fleetwood reigns supreme in Paris
Top 10 South African rankings:
Charl Schwartzel – 18
Louis Oosthuizen – 23
Branden Grace – 35
Dylan Frittelli – 74
Brandon Stone –92
Dean Burmester – 109
Richard Sterne – 120
George Coetzee – 131
Jaco Van Zyl – 132
Thomas Aiken – 178
Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
