Power Rankings 2014-15

Earnings in dollars: M=million; K=thousand

Rank

Golfer

Age

2013-14 Earnings

Comment

1

Rory McIlroy

25

8.280M

The closest to the undisputed No. 1 across the board since Tiger Woods, you pick the year.

2

Matt Kuchar

36

4.695M

Maintains a busy schedule, contends often and has missed only seven cuts in the last five seasons. Worth the investment in every format.

3

Adam Scott

34

4.098M

Standard-issue season for him, which backs up the calm and confidence he exudes. Hasn't missed a cut since 2012. Top 10s in nearly half of his starts in the last two seasons.

4

Jordan Spieth

21

4.342M

Didn't win, but eclipsed his 2013 earnings by nearly 12 percent, impressive given he'd had achieved so much in his rookie season. Played 27 times, too. No limit.

5

Justin Rose

34

3.926M

Consistently strong. Logged 23 top 10s in the last three seasons. Reliability is your insurance. Five consecutive trips to the TOUR Championship.

6

Keegan Bradley

28

2.828M*

The only gamers thrilled with his decision to withdraw during the BMW Championship play salary formats. He is a green-light special for 2014-15.

7

Rickie Fowler

25

4.806M

Risen to where his harshest critics expect him to camp out in the majors. Wins will come. Another salary gain, albeit mild, is plausible.

8

Jason Day

26

3.789M*

Plagued by injuries and illness, the Aussie somehow got to 15 starts and picked off six top 10s, including a win at the Match Play. You know the risk, but the rewards are even greater.

9

Tiger Woods

38

108K*

Expected to return in December. Quoted as saying that he's expecting a "very full" schedule in 2015. Still young and strong enough not to bump into the second round even with the injury concerns.

10

Jim Furyk

44

5.987M

Let casual fans bemoan his winless streak while you prosper. Showing zero letup and enjoying the game again.

11

Jimmy Walker

35

5.787M

Gamers will accept a push and run, but his consistency is where his real value shines. Healthy and in the heart of his prime. Do not hesitate.

12

Sergio Garcia

34

4.939M

Never plays or wins enough to rise into the top tier, but there's no denying the confidence factor that's run concurrent with his noticeably milder demeanor.

13

Bubba Watson

35

6.336M

After filling the pockets of salary gamers as anticipated, it's now time to expected a regression. A non-factor in too many starts.

14

Brandt Snedeker

33

1.652M*

Injuries finally caught up with him, but he found enough form in a long enough stretch to warrant an automatic buy in salary games. The rest of us will ease in, but we're poised to pounce.

15

Dustin Johnson

30

4.249M

Was on pace to set new highs in several career totals before cutting his season short. Timetable for his return is TBD, so he'll be a nice scoop after the elite are off your board.

16

Bill Haas

32

2.841M*

Went 27-for-28 and still misfired on my projection for a breakout season, but I have a tendency to be a year early for some reason, so I'm not wavering. Invest across the board.

17

Hunter Mahan

32

3.097M

Despite overall success, he continues to deviate from short-term projections, so if you can stomach those bouts of mediocrity, he'll reward your patience. On this we can rely.

18

Zach Johnson

38

3.353M

Comes off yet another big-boy season that included his 11th victory. No need to adjust your expectations for another year.

19

Chris Kirk

29

4.854M

Part of the new breed poised to dominate. Missed only two cuts while totaling career bests in top 10s (five) and top 25s (12). Two wins are bonuses.

20

Webb Simpson

29

3.539M

Figured it out despite too many off-weeks. All but erased concern that having a third child (born in May) would offset his impeccable balance. Plays too often to bypass.

21

Patrick Reed

24

4.026M

Piled on early with two wins and recovered late, all while becoming a father for the first time. While polarizing in the mainstream, gamers love his fearlessness.

22

Hideki Matsuyama

22

2.837M

He belongs. Played through injuries and advanced to East Lake in his first try. Equally as valuable is that he made 24 starts, and made only one in Japan in 2014.

23

Billy Horschel

27

4.814M

The FedExCup champ proved again that his self-belief is unwavering. Back-to-back huge seasons are harbingers, but his value is greater in long-term formats.

24

Jason Dufner

37

1.651M*

Talked of retiring in five years and ended the season with two bulging discs. Scheduled to return in October, but it's time to reset (read: temper) our expectations.

25

Gary Woodland

30

2.734M*

Missed a career-low two cuts, but didn't explode. Improved his putting late in the season, so appreciate his rise of 60 spots in strokes gained after Doral rather than the finishing line where he placed 130th.

Woods at 9 isn't so revealing as who is below him…

Quote:

Originally Posted by iacas

Woods at 9 isn't so revealing as who is below him…

Jim Furyk? I think he's great. What's wrong with him at 10?

I can't speak for @iacas but it is curious that the author has Woods ahead of Furyk, Walker, Garcia and Watson.  He may be rating Woods a tad high.