BC's Taylor And Macdonald Make Big Moves In Canada's Weekly Top-10 Rankings

Coquitlam, B.C.'s Jisoo Keel Has Jumped 441 Places In The Women's World Amateur Rankings Over The Last 5 Weeks - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKamPhotos)/ British Columbia Golf

courtesy Golf Canada

Canada's Weekly Top 10 Rankings once more has its fair share of players from British Columbia with two of them making big moves in their respective categories. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., jumped 24 places in the world rankings to sit in the number 5 spot for male professionals in the country while his Ledgeview Golf Club mate Adam Hadwin continues to be Canada's top ranked male pro at number 46 in the world.

Vancouver's Stuart Macdonald leapt 65 spots in the world ranking for amateur men while Kimberley's Jared du Toit remains as the top male amateur in Canada at number 13 in the WAGR. On the women's side, Coquitlam, B.C.'s Jisoo Keel has jumped back into the mix in a big way after taking time off from collegiate golf to the point where she's climbed 441 places in the world rankings over the last 5 weeks.

MEN’S TOP 10

Abbotsford, B.C.'s Nick Taylor made the biggest move among the Top-10, picking up 24 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 44th at the PGA TOUR's Houston Open. It was his best result since a top 10 finish at Pebble Beach back in February. The result was worth 1.46 world ranking points for the No. 5 ranked Canadian.

No. 3 Mackenzie Hughes goes into the Masters on the strength of a tie for 23rd at the PGA TOUR's Houston Open. The result was worth 2.45 world ranking points and was his best finish since a tie for 10th back in February at Pebble Beach. Hughes, who will be playing in his first Masters, slipped a spot in the world rankings after Luke List moved past him, thanks to his tie for third in Houston.

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Anne-Catherine Tanguay made the biggest move among the Top-10, picking up 34 spots in the world rankings after finishing third at the Symetra Tour event in Arizona. Tanguay led the way after the opening round, shooting a season low 66 – her seventh straight round under par. It was her third straight top 10 result to start the season on the development tour. The Team Canada Young Pro Squad member now finds herself second on the tour’s money list.

No. 5 Augusta James finished in a tie for 19th at the Symetra Tour event while No. 6 Samantha Richdale was tied for 12th. They were the only other two Top-10 players to make positive gains in the world rankings this week.

Top ranked Brooke Henderson maintained her No. 13 world ranking after finishing in a tie for 14th at the ANA Inspiration, the first major of the LPGA season. Henderson rebounded from a pair of 73’s in the opening two rounds to post scores of 69 and 68 on the weekend for her third top-15 result in her last three tournaments.

Other Notable Results: No. 2 Alena Sharp and No. 3 Maude-Aimee Leblanc both missed the cut at LPGA’s ANA Inspiration; No. 8 Brittany Marchand missed the cut at Symetra Tour event in Arizona;

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Vancouver, B.C.'s Stuart Macdonald made the biggest move of the week in the Top-10, picking up 65 spots after finishing tied for 13th at the Azalea Invitational. The soon-to-be pro now finds himself as the No. 8 ranked player in Canada. He also bested fellow Golf Canada National Team member Hugo Bernard, who finished tied for 20th.

Joey Savoie made one of the biggest moves inside the Top-10, climbing 56 spots in world rankings after finishing in a tie for third at the Mason Rudolph Championship. The senior from St-Jean, Que., shot a career-best round of 66 on the final day of the tournament and equalling the ninth-best overall round in school history. It was his third top-10 finish of the year.

Chris Crisologo went wire-to-wire to lead the Simon Fraser University Clan to victory at the Northwest Nazarene Invitational. For the junior from Richmond, B.C., it was his third win of the season and his first of the spring campaign, enabling him to pick up two spots in the world rankings.

Josh Whalen climbed 32 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 28th at the Aggie Invitational. That result, coupled with his win last week, has seen the senior from Napanee, Ont. vault 182 spots in the last two weeks. It also moved him up five places in the Canadian rankings, from No. 10 up to No. 5.

Biggest move: Ben Thompson gained 437 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 10th at the Bearcat Classic. It was the third top-10 finish for the sophomore from Scarborough, Ont., who is playing golf at Division II Newberry College in South Carolina.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Jisoo Keel climbed 132 spots and moved up to No. 5 in the Canadian ranking from No. 9 after finishing in a tie for 44th at the Anuenue Spring Break Classic. In the last five weeks, Keel has gained 441 places in the world rankings after taking the last two years off from playing collegiate golf.

The Clemson Invitational saw three members of the Top-10 in competition. Top ranked Canadian Maddie Szeryk and No. 3 Jaclyn Lee both finished in a tie for 29th while No. 9 Valerie Tanguay ended up tied for 41st.

Honourable mention to Ye Ji Lim, who makes her world amateur rankings debut after claiming medalist honours at the Little Rock/Arkansas State Invitational. The freshman from Langley, B.C. was only competing for only the third time as a team member and fourth tournament this season.

Biggest Move: Michelle Ruiz gained 333 spots in the world ranking after finishing in a tie for 31st at the Barry U Invite. The junior from Mississauga, Ont. was coming off her first collegiate win.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.