Performances of the week

Aberg becomes number one

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg is promoted to number one on this week’s World Amateur Golf Ranking® following Keita Nakajima’s decision to turn professional. Aberg, a Texas Tech University student, makes WAGR history in the process: he is the first Swedish male to reach number one. American Sam Bennett graduates to world number two.

McClean books major spots

Matthew McClean will make his Masters and U.S. Open debuts next year after becoming the first player from the island of Ireland to win the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. The final at U.S. Open venue Erin Hills was always going to produce an Emerald Isle winner: Belfast native McClean defeated Dublin’s Hugh Foley 3&1 in the 36-hole final. McLean receives a spot in next year’s U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and a likely Masters’ invitation. The 29 year old jumps 33 places to 87^th. Foley’s consolation is a rise of 30 positions to 165^th.

Thorbjornsen battles to number 3

Michael Thorbjornsen of the United States is now the world’s third best player, a two-spot rise, thanks to victory in the OFCC Fighting Illini Invite at Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois. The Stanford University student won by one shot. He fired rounds of 67, 70 and 66 for a 7-under 203 tally.

Andress joins top 1,000

American Wilson Andress is 367 rankings better off at world number 916^th by winning the Gopher Invitational at Windsong Farm Golf Club in Independence, Minnesota. Andress, a Georgia Southern student, was the only player to return three sub-70 scores (69, 67 and 66) to post an 11-under 202 for a two-shot win.

Top 20 movers

Ricky Castillo of the United States and Brazil’s Fred Biondi join the top 20. Castillo makes a five-ranking rise to 18^th, while Biondi betters his status by one spot to 20^th.

Top 50 movers

An American and two Australians join the top half century. U.S. player John Marshall Butler rises five rankings to 46^th. Harrison Crow is also five places higher in 47^th, while fellow Aussie Karl Vilips moves to 48^th from 54^th.

Biggest ranking improvement

Scott Harvey of the United States makes the biggest move. He advances 1,399 places to 1,067^th after reaching the quarterfinals of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.