Leading the way - Who tops the stats from the 2023 DP World Tour season so far?
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Ahead of the 2023 DP World Tour season resuming next week in Northern Ireland, we take a look at some of the key on-course numbers from the campaign so far.
Across 33 regular events played in 18 different countries, there have been 13 first-time winners but what about some of the statistics behind players’ performances?
Here, we focus in on who is leading the way across six different categories.*
6\. Strokes gained: Off the tee
We begin our rundown with Adrian Meronk \- one of the consistent performers on the DP World Tour so far this season.
The Pole, who has added two Tour titles to his breakthrough win in Ireland last season, has picked up an average of +1.21 shots per round with with his tee shots on par 4s and par 5s.
5\. Driving distance
Based on the average number of yards per drive, measured on two shots per round, Wilco Nienaber leads the rankings with 336.11 yards. That is 26.63 yards more than the field average.
Fellow South African Brandon Stone is third with 328.04, with Qualifying School graduate Alejandro Del Rey (328.34) sandwiched between.
4\. Strokes gained: Around the Green
It's another South African out in front as George Coetzee is proving the best from within 50 yards of the hole.
On average, the five-time DP World Tour winner is picking up +0.75 shots, just ahead of countryman Jayden Schaper (+0.69).
3\. Strokes gained: Putting
Gavin Green, who has played 58 rounds so far this season, leads the way in this category with an average of +1.27.
In fact, the Malaysian also leads the Putts per Green in Regulation (1.68) and Putts per Round categories (averaging 27.90).
2\. Scoring: Stroke Average
One of the stand-out performers on Tour so far this season, this is one of several stats categories Alexander Björk leads the way across.
Across the 64 rounds he has played, the Swede has a stroke average of 69.56 - just ahead of Nathan Kimsey (69.67) and Min Woo Lee (69.73).
Björk also tops the standings for Three Putt Avoidance, averaging 0.23 three putts per round – 0.35 better than field average.
1\. Greens in regulation
Jordan Smith leads the way so far this season, with a GIR average of 76.00% from the 50 rounds he has played.
That is a staggering 9.65% better than field average.
_*For scoring statistics to be generated by 15th_ _Club, players must currently have played a minimum of 26 rounds so far this season._
_To view all stats from the ongoing 2023 DP World Tour season, click here._
But what about results on Tour. Who has the best record for top-five and top-ten finishes ahead of the final 12 events of the campaign?
Across 15 appearances on Tour so far this season, Meronk has recorded five top five finishes, including his two victories in Australia and Italy.
Rory McIlroy is one of five players – alongside Lee, Björk, Joost Luiten and Jens Dantorp – with four top-five finishes, despite only playing in six events.
Björk holds the advantage when it comes to top 10s, with the 2018 Volvo China Open winner out ahead with seven from his 16 Tour appearances since the start of 2023.
