Justin Thomas becomes World No.1

After his T11 finish at The Players Championship, Justin Thomas has replaced Dustin Johnson as the new World No.1 

Thomas, who is the fourth youngest player to become World No.1 (after Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy), ends Dustin Johnson’s 64-week run at the top of the rankings as he gains the top spot for the first time. 

The 25-year-old is the 21st player in history to become World No.1 after posting rounds of 73-70-68-66 at The Players Championship to finish in a tie for 11th with five others, including Tiger Woods. DJ needed to finish inside the top 12 to hold on to his position in the rankings, but a disappointing one-over-par 72 final round saw him finish T17. 

It’s been an incredibly impressive year and a half for Thomas, who has notched up seven PGA Tour victories (including winning his first major title at the 2017 PGA Championship) since his first victory at the CIMB Classic in October 2016.

The new World No.1 hasn’t missed an individual cut since The Open last year, and has a worse finish of T22 in 2018. Last year’s 2017 PGA Tour Player of the Year also currently leads the FedEx Cup rankings, a title which he convincingly won last year. 

“Being No.1 in the World is a great accomplishment, but keeping that spot is more important to me,” Thomas told Golf Channel. “I am very proud of this achievement and do not take it for granted.”

“I will definitely enjoy it for the moment, but I have to continue to work hard and focus on putting myself in contention every week I play.”