Will’s Official Weekly Golf Ranking, Vol. 2022.5

To everyone waiting out this winter storm with us, just know that the Masters is in less than nine weeks away.

Important update on TFE events…

We have a new home for Fried Egg Events! We’re still working behind the scenes to set up the full schedule, but in the future, all information about our events, including registration dates and times, will be available at the Fried Egg Event Hub. There’s a link to the hub at the top of our desktop website, and on mobile you can find it under the “All Events” tab.

The Banker at Dornick Hills (June 6) opens for registration on Monday, February 7, at 12 p.m. ET.

WOWgr, Vol. 2022.5

If you’re new to the newsletter, check out the WOWgr Guidelines.

No. 1 – International golf media (Up 452 spots from last week) – The story of the week has been the emergence of new details about Saudi Arabia’s Super Golf League, and reporters from across the pond have been on their game. For Golf Digest, John Huggan filed an explosive interview with Phil Mcikelson in which Lefty lambasted the PGA Tour for its media rights policy and threw out some wild, unsubstantiated monetary figures. Not to be outdone, James Corrigan reported that Ian Poulter has a £22 million ($30 million USD) offer to join the Super Golf League. That’s more than Poulter has made on the PGA Tour in his entire career. Finally, Derek Lawrenson of The Daily Mail revealed that the Saudis have offered Bryson DeChambeau £100 million ($135 million USD) and are prepared to spend a total of $2 billion on players. DeChambeau denied the report on Instagram.

No. 10 – The LPGA Tour media team – It’s not on Netflix, but the LPGA Tour’s new All Access series is excellent. The three-part documentary covers the week of the 2021 CME Group Tour Championship and features appearances from many top players. Gaby López and Amy Olson are heavily featured, offering a look at what tour life is like on and off the course. Give it a watch!

No. 14 – TK Chantananuwat (Up 88) – One of the few players who gets a pass for participating in the Saudi International is this 14-year-old Thai phenom. After some strong play on the Asian Tour, the young amateur is in the top 500 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Oh, and he shot 71 on Thursday, beating the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio García, Marc Leishman, and Lee Westwood.

No. 21 – Dustin Johnson press conferences (Up 312) – As word got around about the Saudis tossing £22 million at Ian Poulter, Dustin Johnson was asked at the Saudi International if he had a similar offer. “No, not similar,” DJ said, laughing. “It’s just not similar.” If Johnson takes the money, his WOWgr ranking will suffer for moral reasons, but in the meantime, his press conferences remain a delight.

No. 2,541 – The PGA Tour website (No change) – This is the biggest golf tour on the planet (well, for now), and it can’t maintain a functioning website?

DFL – Saudi International (No change)

The Latest from The Fried Egg

The Fried Egg Podcast: What to Know About Perry Maxwell – Golf architect Colton Craig and historian Chris Clouser join the podcast to discuss everything Perry Maxwell. Listen on iTunes and Spotify.

The Shotgun Start – Between Phil’s sound bytes, the news out of Saudi Arabia, and various happenings at Pebble Beach, the boys have plenty to talk about. Listen on iTunes and Spotify.

Boards

Tom Hoge has a one-shot cushion at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am after a first-round 62 at Pebble Beach.

Marina Alex and Nasa Hataoka top the leaderboard at the LPGA Drive On Championship.

Jimmy Stanger leads the way at The Panama Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour.

This week in college golf, Texas Tech, Arizona State, and Washington are all in the mix through one round of the Amer Ari Invitational.

After an opening 62, Matteo Manassero (remember him?) is two shots clear at the Saudi International. Bryson DeChambeau (73) withdrew.