2021-22 Rookie Ranking

There are 27 rookies on the PGA TOUR in 2021-22. This page provides a subjective ranking updated weekly. The Arnold Palmer Award winner is determined in a vote by PGA TOUR members who make at least 15 starts. The Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup and the Olympic Games count as one of the 15.

In the absence of Cameron Young and Chad Ramey at the AT&T Byron Nelson, Davis Riley capitalized on the opportunity to surge further into the conversation for Rookie of the Year. Separating from the other 21 in the field, his three-way share of ninth place was best in class at TPC Craig Ranch.

The 25-year-old is one of the hottest members of the PGA TOUR right now. In his previous two starts, he finished T4 (with 2020-21 Arnold Palmer Award winner Will Zalatoris) at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and fifth at the Mexico Open at Vidanta. Riley withdrew early from the Wells Fargo Championship, which was the deadline to qualify for the PGA Championship via the top 70 in PGA Championship Points, but he gained entry into his first appearance, anyway, when the PGA of America extended to his spot at 77th.

Riley opened with even-par 72 in Texas, and then rallied with 64 in the second round to sit seven strokes back of the 36-hole tri-leaders, one of which was fellow rookie David Skinns. The 40-year-old Englishman spun a 10-birdie 63 in the second round, but he settled for even par on the weekend and faded to T38.

Riley is one of four rookies among the 156 entrants at Southern Hills Country Club for the season’s second major. Two other rookies, Callum Tarren and Joshua Creel, are committed to the AdventHealth Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour.

With the Charles Schwab Challenge and Memorial Tournament presented by Workday lined up immediately following the PGA Championship, playing opportunities for rookies in both 120-man invitationals will be scarce. As a result, moonlighting on the KFT likely will be commonplace for a handful of rookies, but not just to stay sharp. For those in jeopardy of not finishing inside the top 200 of the FedExCup, it will be necessary to build on Plan C.

LOW ROOKIE: Davis Riley, T9. Third time (P2=Valspar, T4=New Orleans).
CAREER-BEST FINISHES (AND TIES): none

* - In the field at the PGA Championship as of May 15.
# - Top-10 alternate at the PGA Championship as of May 15.
% - In the field at the Korn Ferry Tour's AdventHealth Championship as of May 15.

NOTE: A player’s rookie season ("Rookie Year") is defined as the season in which he becomes a PGA TOUR member (including Special Temporary Members) and plays in 10 or more events as a member or finishes in the Top 125 on the Official FedExCup Points List or qualifies as a Top 125 non-member, whichever occurs first. Further, for purposes of this definition, a new member (including Special Temporary Members) shall not be eligible to be a rookie if he has previously played in more than seven (7) Official PGA TOUR Money events as a professional in any prior season.