All-time ranking: Who moved up in 2020?

Hideki Matsuyama, -2.32

In keeping with his modest public profile, Matsuyama’s performance in the 2020 Majors went largely overlooked. Although he did not contend in any of them, he was a credible practice in all three, tying for 13th at the Masters, for 17th at the Open and for 22nd at the PGA.

That’s pretty much the story of Matsuyama’s Major career. He did tie for second at the 2017 U.S. Open, but a more common landing spot is someplace within the top 20. In his last 20 Major starts, he’s done that nine times.

Despite his winless Majors record, Matsuyama began 2020 98th on the all-time ranking with a score of -0.51. His 2020 season elevated him eight positions, to 90th, at -2.32.

In the process Matsuyama overtook a bunch of Major champions, notably three-time U.S. Open winner Hale Irwin (-2.29).

At age 28, it’s not out of the question that Matsuyama accelerates his climb, although doing so would likely require throwing in a few more top fives, and possibly a victory or three. Still, were he to replicate in 2021 the ground he made up in 2020, he would climb five more positions on the all-time ranking, jumping – among others – Rickie Fowler and Craig Wood.