The "5 Dae Cheonwang" Now... "Battle for World No. 1 Ranking~"

Thomas, Rahm, McIlroy, Simpson, Johnson and the 'Top 5' Compete for 'Major Victory + World No.1' at PGA Championship Opening Night on the 6th

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "I am number 1."

The competition for the No. 1 spot among the world's top five golfers is fierce, including world No. 1 Justin Thomas (USA, pictured), No. 2 Jon Rahm (Spain), No. 3 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), No. 4 Webb Simpson, and No. 5 Dustin Johnson (both USA). Thomas claimed the title at the World Golf Championships (WGC) FedEx St. Jude Invitational (total prize money $10.5 million), which concluded on the 3rd (Korean time), establishing himself as the new golf king. This marks his third win of the 2020 season, truly a "Thomas era."

The PGA Championship (total prize money $11 million), continuing on the night of the 6th at Harding Park TPC in San Francisco, California (par 70, 7,234 yards), has become even more important. This tournament is especially significant as the first major of the season. Originally scheduled for May, it was postponed by three months due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The major tournament schedule was also disrupted. The Masters, originally in April, moved to November; the US Open shifted from June to September; and The Open was canceled altogether.

For Rahm, McIlroy, Simpson, and Johnson, it is a "hunt for two rabbits." Winning would immediately make them No. 1. It is interesting that Rahm, as a Spanish national, reached No. 1 for the first time in 31 years since Seve Ballesteros in 1989, only to drop back to No. 2 after two weeks. He said, "It's similar to men's tennis where the 'Big Four'?Roger Federer (Switzerland), Novak Djokovic (Serbia), Rafael Nadal (Spain), and Andy Murray (UK)?compete fiercely," adding, "This is not an era for a single dominant player," showing his fighting spirit.