Movement at the Top: Zack Holton and Kelly Rudney Claim World No. 1
- wbirmingham
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
The latest World Long Drive Official Rankings are in, and two names now sit at the top of the mountain. Zack Holton and Kelly Rudney have both claimed the World No. 1 ranking in their respective divisions, and the road to Reno just got a whole lot more interesting.
Zack Holton: Open Elite Division
Holton, the reigning 2025 World Long Drive Champion, moves into the No. 1 spot in the Open Elite Division as the rankings shift heading into the biggest stretch of the 2026 season. The climb comes as older results age out of the rolling two year ranking period, a reminder of just how tight the race at the top of the Open Elite Division has become.
Holton takes over the top spot from Scottie Pearman, who finished as runner up to Holton at last year's World Championship. The two have quickly become the defining rivalry in long drive, and with points continuing to shift as the season plays out, expect this battle for World No. 1 continue to shift as we creek closer to Reno.
Both Holton and Pearman have built reputations as two of the most dominant hitters on tour, and as the 2026 World Long Drive Championship approaches, all eyes remain on which of the two will hold the top ranking when it matters most.
Kelly Rudney: Women's Division
Rudney, the reigning 2025 World Long Drive Champion, climbs into the No. 1 spot in the Women's Division following a standout run of performances. The move pushes 2025 Long Drive Player of the Year Monica Lieving into the No. 2 spot, as the two continue to headline one of the most competitive divisions in the sport.
Lieving put together a dominant 2025 season in her own right, claiming victories at the Rocky Mountain Rumble and the Desert Duel, and closing the year with a runner up finish to Rudney at the World Championship.
Both Holton and Rudney enter the back half of the season with real momentum behind them. With the 2026 World Long Drive Championship set for October 15th through 17th in Reno, Nevada at Wild Creek Golf Course, the World No. 1 conversation in both divisions is far from settled, and the best is still to come."
Road to Reno Podcast
Go behind the scenes with the athletes making the climb to this year's World Long Drive Championship. Kelly Rudney's episode is coming soon, don't miss it.
2026 World Long Drive Championship
There is still time to qualify for the 2026 World Championship. Follow the link below for a list of qualifying events around the world.