Why has Scheffler been world No 1 so long and who could replace him?
Scottie Scheffler continues to be the dominant world No 1 in men's golf, but how long will he stay top of the rankings and will he put more of Tiger Woods' records under threat?
Key points
- Scottie Scheffler has been world No 1 for 178 consecutive weeks as of October 12.
- He has won 22 PGA Tour titles, including four majors, and is 30 years old.
- Analysts disagree on whether he will break Tiger Woods' record of 281 straight weeks.
Scottie Scheffler remains the dominant world No 1 in men's golf, holding the top spot for 178 consecutive weeks as of October 12. The 30-year-old American has won 22 PGA Tour titles, including four majors, and is expected to play only once more in 2026, at the Hero World Challenge from December 3-6.
Scheffler first became world No 1 in March 2022 and has since had four separate spells at the top. His current unbroken run began in May 2023, and he holds a larger advantage over world No 2 Rory McIlroy than McIlroy has over almost every other active player.
How the rankings work
The Official World Golf Ranking uses a rolling two-year cycle, awarding points based on tournament strength and a player's finish. A player's ranking is calculated by dividing total points earned by the number of events played, with bonus points for multiple wins in a 52-week period.
Scheffler's consistency is a key factor. In 2025 he won two majors among six worldwide titles, and in 2026 he already has three victories, with top-three finishes in half of his 20 worldwide starts.
He's the best player in the world by a country mile
— Sky Sports' Andrew Coltart
What analysts say
Sky Sports' Andrew Coltart said Scheffler is "the best player in the world by a country mile," citing his distance control, consistency, and golf IQ. Nick Dougherty added that Scheffler has no weaknesses, noting his improved putting and peerless iron play.
On whether Scheffler can break Tiger Woods' record of 281 consecutive weeks at No 1, Dougherty said he sees no reason why not, but warned that the level of competition is rising. Dame Laura Davies disagreed, saying the challenging pack behind him will prevent it.
Who could replace him
Matt Fitzpatrick is now world No 3 after four wins in 2026, with Cameron Young and Wyndham Clark completing the top five. Scheffler himself jumped from No 15 to No 1 in six weeks in 2022, showing rapid rises are possible.
Dougherty suggested that if McIlroy does not overtake Scheffler, it could be a newcomer like Jackson Koivun or an unknown player. Chris Gotterup, Sam Burns, and Si Woo Kim have also made big moves in 2026.
