Northern Irish Golfers

The best Northern Irish golfers of the world ranking era

Ranked by the highest world ranking each player reached, then by weeks spent inside the world top 10. Every figure comes from the weekly world ranking itself — not from an editor's opinion.

The Official World Golf Ranking began in April 1986, so this covers the ranking era. Players whose best years came earlier are missing or appear well below their true standing.

1. 1Rory McIlroynow #2#1121w915412005–20262005–2026915w top 5041 wins
2. 2Graeme McDowellnow #1063#4397162002–20262002–2026397w top 5016 wins
3. 3Darren Clarke#8543191991–20261991–2026543w top 5019 wins
4. 4Ronan Rafferty#16225121988–20091988–2009225w top 5012 wins
5. 5David Feherty#339371988–19981988–199893w top 507 wins
6. 6Michael Hoey#74—82001–20232001–20238 wins
7. 7Tom McKibbinnow #134#74—22016–20262016–20262 wins
8. 8Gareth Maybin#84—12006–20192006–20191 wins
9. 9Jonathan Caldwellnow #2009#210—32008–20262008–20263 wins
10. 10Cormac Sharvinnow #3238#226—02014–20262014–2026
11. 11David Jones#271—11988–20061988–20061 wins
12. 12Jimmy Heggarty#293—01988–20061988–2006
13. 13Raymond Burns#306—01994–20071994–2007
14. 14Stephen Hamill#349—01989–20081989–2008
15. 15Dermot McElroynow #1309#437—22011–20262011–20262 wins
16. 16Gareth Shaw#489—02008–20182008–2018
17. 17John Ross Galbraithnow #1367#1331——20262026
18. 18Noel Murraynow #3821#3806——20262026
19. 19Rory Williamsonnow #3984#3969——20262026