Masters Marks 40 Years of World Golf Rankings, Fueling Global Growth

Bernhard Langer, the two-time Masters champion , was reminded this week of a landmark moment in golf history: the 40th anniversary of the world ranking system , which has played a pivotal role in internationalising professional golf .

The system began as the “Sony Ranking” and was first formally recognised at the 1986 Masters . That week, Europeans dominated the rankings: Langer led , followed by Seve Ballesteros and Sandy Lyle, while the top American, Tom Watson, was fourth. Jack Nicklaus, then 46 and considered past his prime, ranked 33rd yet he famously won his sixth Masters that same week, highlighting the unpredictability of golf.

Before the ranking, opportunities for international players in major championships were limited. “ Only two or three of us got in ,” Langer recalled. In Europe, players often had to win the money list to qualify for the Masters. The ranking system created new pathways, allowing the best players globally to compete, regardless of nationality.

Over the years, the ranking evolved into the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) , now used by all major championships. The Masters and British Open admit the top 50 , the U.S. Open takes the top 60 , and the PGA Championship invites the top 100 globally . The ranking now covers 25 tours worldwide , including the Saudi-backed LIV Golf , expanding golf’s reach beyond traditional strongholds.

The growth is evident in the Masters field: 91 players from 23 countries compete today, compared with 88 players from 11 countries in 1986. Langer noted that while the system is not perfect, it “ opened up the majors to international golfers ” and helped create a truly global competitive landscape.

The ranking system has also reflected changing dominance in golf. Since 1994, 13 of the last 32 U.S. Open champions were international, and Padraig Harrington became the first European in 78 years to win the PGA Championship in 2008. Today, Scottie Scheffler leads the world rankings, with five Americans and five Europeans in the top 10 , all playing on the PGA Tour .

From its modest beginnings to shaping major championships worldwide, the world ranking system has been instrumental in making professional golf more inclusive, competitive, and truly international .