Bhatia Soars 20 Spots After Arnold Palmer Win in Latest Rankings
Golf

Bhatia Soars 20 Spots After Arnold Palmer Win in Latest Rankings

9 Mar 2026 2 min read golftoday.co.uk

Akshay Bhatia's victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational propelled him 20 places to 19th in the latest Official World Golf Rankings. Daniel Berger and Ludvig Åberg also made significant moves following strong finishes at Bay Hill.

Key Takeaways

  • 1.Bhatia's playoff victory at Bay Hill catapulted him 20 positions to 19th in the world rankings, marking one of the week's most significant climbs.
  • 2.## Impact and Legacy Castillo's victory represents a breakthrough moment for the young professional, with his 44-position jump highlighting the impact of securing a first tour victory.
  • 3.Players will be looking to capitalize on strong early-season form to establish themselves for the year's major championships.

The latest Official World Golf Rankings for Week 10 (March 8, 2026) showcase dramatic movement following tournament victories across multiple tours, with Akshay Bhatia leading the charge after his Arnold Palmer Invitational triumph.

Bhatia's playoff victory at Bay Hill catapulted him 20 positions to 19th in the world rankings, marking one of the week's most significant climbs. Daniel Berger, who finished second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, jumped 27 spots from 61st to 34th place.

Ludvig Åberg and Cameron Young, who tied for third at Bay Hill, also benefited from their strong finishes. Åberg moved up two places to 21st, while Young climbed six positions to 15th in the rankings.

![Akshay Bhatia — PGA Tour player for PGA Tour](https://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/golf/players/full/4419142.png)

Race Results

Race Results

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Race Results

Collin Morikawa's fifth-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational was enough to move him up one spot to fourth in the world, closing the gap on the top three players.

Race Results

Race Results

![Timmy Hill — NASCAR driver for Unknown](https://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/rpm/players/full/4467.png)

Meanwhile, at the Puerto Rico Open, Ricky Castillo captured his maiden PGA Tour title, earning a substantial rankings boost from 139th to 95th. Chandler Blanchet's runner-up finish and Blades Brown's third-place showing also resulted in notable improvements in their world standing.

Impact and Legacy

Castillo's victory represents a breakthrough moment for the young professional, with his 44-position jump highlighting the impact of securing a first tour victory. Brown climbed from 337th to 228th, while Davis Thompson's fourth-place finish moved him eight spots to 111th.

Across the Atlantic, Dan Bradbury claimed his third DP World Tour title at the Joburg Open, moving from 171st to 125th in the rankings. Casey Jarvis and Brandon Robinson Thompson, who tied for second, also made significant strides up the leaderboard.

Bradbury's victory in South Africa continued his steady rise in professional golf, with the 46-position jump reflecting the strength of the European tour field. Jarvis moved from 80th to 69th, while Robinson Thompson climbed from 267th to 205th.

At the top of the rankings, Scottie Scheffler maintained his grip on the number one position despite not competing this week. The American leads with an average of 15.87 points, well ahead of second-placed Rory McIlroy at 8.53 points.

Tommy Fleetwood held steady in third place, while the battle for the top five intensified with Morikawa's rise. Justin Rose dropped one spot to fifth, making room for Morikawa's ascension to fourth.

The week's results demonstrate how single tournament performances can significantly impact world rankings, particularly for players outside the top 50. Bhatia's dramatic rise exemplifies the opportunities available for breakthrough performances at high-profile events.

Looking ahead, the rankings will continue to fluctuate as the season progresses, with multiple tour events scheduled across different continents. Players will be looking to capitalize on strong early-season form to establish themselves for the year's major championships.