Professional golf has reached unprecedented heights, with a roster of players so talented that the top spot on the rankings is constantly up for grabs.
At the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the leaderboard is filled with stars, including world number one Jon Rahm, who carded a 7-under-par 65 to take the lead after the opening round.
Behind him are a pack of players, including Scottie Scheffler, ranked number two in the world, who is three shots back.
Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, and Jordan Spieth are also in contention, just three shots behind Rahm.
The fight for the number one ranking has been particularly intense this year. Since the Official World Rankings began in 1986, the top spot has never changed hands among three players before March in a calendar year.
But this year, it has already changed hands between Rory McIlroy, Scheffler, and Rahm.
Scheffler can reclaim the top spot with a win this week, while McIlroy can take over if he wins and Rahm finishes worse than a two-way tie for fifth.
Rahm’s win at Riviera was his fifth title worldwide in his last nine tournaments, and he exudes confidence, saying that he doesn’t think anyone can beat him when he’s firing on all cylinders.
At the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he birdied his first three holes but then cooled off until he went 5-under on his final seven holes to take the lead.
He attributed his success to his patience and picking his battles. Rahm watched how Tiger Woods dissected the Bay Hill course, where Woods has won eight times and feels comfortable on it, which is not good news for his competitors.
Scheffler is motivated to return to the top spot, having lost it to Rahm, who beat him by a bunch of shots at Riviera.
He says that he doesn’t like losing to people, and any time he doesn’t win, he’s motivated to do better.
Both Rahm and Scheffler have shown relentless consistency, rarely finishing outside the top 10, top 15, or top 20.
It’s anyone’s guess who will end up as number one come Sunday night. But with such a talented field, the theatre promises to be compelling.
»Top spot on golf rankings is constantly up for grabs«
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