Scotland’s Paul Foster MBE leads the World Bowls Series Men’s rankings with 774 points as of March 2026, while England’s Emily Kernick dominates the Women’s rankings with 801 points. The World Bowls Tour features around 5,000 players across nine countries competing for top positions in this professional indoor bowls circuit.
Key Takeaway
- Paul Foster MBE leads World Bowls Series Men’s rankings with 774 points as of March 2026
- Emily Kernick dominates Women’s rankings with 801 points, followed by Malaysia’s Emma Firyana Saroji
- Around 5,000 players now feature in ranking lists across nine countries
- Stewart Anderson secured Number One spot on World Bowls Tour for third consecutive season
Current World Bowls Tour Rankings: Top Players and Points
Men’s Top 5 Rankings: Points and Nationalities
| Rank | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Foster MBE | Scotland | 774 |
| 2 | Corey Wedlock | Australia | 766 |
| 3 | Ross Owen | Wales | 690 |
| 4 | Jason Banks | Scotland | 658 |
| 5 | Gary Kelly | Ireland | 639 |
Women’s Rankings: Current Leaders and Point Gaps
- Emily Kernick (England) – 801 points
- Emma Firyana Saroji (Malaysia) – 760 points
- Selina Goddard (New Zealand) – 729 points
- Dawn Hayman (Australia) leads with 860 points, 59 points ahead of Emily Kernick
The World Bowls Tour rankings reflect the competitive landscape of professional indoor bowls, where top players from nine different countries compete for supremacy. Paul Foster’s 774 points place him just 8 points ahead of Australian challenger Corey Wedlock, making the men’s race extremely competitive. In the women’s division, Dawn Hayman’s 860 points create a 59-point gap over second-place Emily Kernick, though the competition remains fierce with Emma Firyana Saroji from Malaysia in third position.
How Players Climb the World Bowls Tour Rankings
Ranking System: Points and Tournament Performance
The World Bowls Tour ranking system accumulates points based on tournament performance across major events. Around 5,000 players now feature in ranking lists with nine countries represented in the top 10 of both men’s and women’s divisions. Major tournaments like the World Indoor Bowls Championships and international opens contribute significantly to players’ rankings, with higher finishes earning more points. The system rewards consistency and success at the highest levels of competition — Bowls PBA.
Players earn points through a structured system where tournament victories and deep runs in major competitions translate directly to ranking improvements. The World Indoor Bowls Championships at Potters Resorts, Norfolk, represents one of the most prestigious events, featuring the top 16 ranked players competing for substantial ranking points. Other significant tournaments include the Ambassador Cruise Line Scottish International Open and various international opens that contribute to the provisional ranking lists updated throughout the season.
The ranking system operates on a points-based structure where consistency matters as much as occasional victories. Players who perform well across multiple tournaments throughout the season see their rankings improve steadily, while those who rely on single tournament wins may struggle to maintain high positions. This approach ensures that the top rankings reflect sustained excellence rather than one-off performances, creating a fair competitive environment for professional bowlers worldwide.
Recent Ranking Changes and Notable Movers
- Jason Banks jumped five places up the World Bowls Tour ranking list, taking second place behind 2024 champion
- Sam Tolchard entered the Top 16 rankings, marking his breakthrough into elite competition
- Greg Harlow returned to the rankings after a period away from top-level play
- Stewart Anderson secured the Number One spot on the World Bowls Tour for a third consecutive season following the UK Open
Recent ranking movements have created significant shifts in the competitive landscape. Jason Banks’ five-place jump demonstrates how strong performances in major tournaments can rapidly elevate a player’s standing. His ascent to second place behind Paul Foster creates an intriguing rivalry that could define the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Sam Tolchard’s entry into the Top 16 represents a breakthrough for the young player, signaling his arrival among the sport’s elite competitors.
The return of Greg Harlow to the rankings after his absence adds experience and depth to the competitive field. His comeback highlights the dynamic nature of professional bowls, where players can return to form and re-establish themselves among the top competitors. Stewart Anderson’s achievement of maintaining the Number One spot for three consecutive seasons is particularly noteworthy, as it demonstrates remarkable consistency in a sport where rankings can shift dramatically after each major tournament.
These ranking changes reflect the ongoing evolution of professional bowls, where new talents emerge while established stars continue to perform at the highest level. The movement within the rankings creates exciting storylines for fans and adds competitive tension to upcoming tournaments, as players vie for positions that offer better seeding and tournament advantages.
Where to Find Official World Bowls Rankings
Official World Bowls Series Website Resources
The official World Bowls Series website provides complete and updated ranking lists for both men’s and women’s divisions. The site features dedicated sections for Male Rankings and Female Rankings where you can find detailed standings. For the most current updates and live results, the World Bowls Tour Facebook page provides regular posts about ranking changes and tournament outcomes.
The World Bowls Series website serves as the central hub for all official ranking information, offering comprehensive data that includes not just the top players but the complete rankings of thousands of competitors. The website’s user-friendly interface allows fans to track their favorite players’ progress throughout the season, with rankings updated promptly following major tournament results. The site also provides historical data, allowing users to compare current standings with previous seasons and track long-term player development.
Beyond the website, the World Bowls Tour maintains an active social media presence, particularly on Facebook, where they share real-time updates about ranking changes, tournament results, and player achievements. This social media engagement creates a direct connection between the professional bowls community and fans, offering behind-the-scenes content and immediate notification of significant ranking movements. The Facebook page also serves as a platform for announcing upcoming tournaments and providing context about how specific results impact the overall rankings.
Major Tournaments Affecting Rankings
- World Indoor Bowls Championships at Potters Resorts, Norfolk – features top 16 ranked players
- Ambassador Cruise Line Scottish International Open – impacts provisional ranking lists
- USA National Championships and international events – contribute to global ranking updates
- UK Open – recent tournament that determined season-ending rankings
The World Indoor Bowls Championships at Potters Resorts, Norfolk, represents the pinnacle of professional bowls competition, featuring the top 16 ranked players from around the world. This tournament not only offers substantial prize money but also carries significant ranking points that can dramatically alter the standings. The prestige of winning this championship often translates into a boost in world rankings and increased visibility for the victor.
The Ambassador Cruise Line Scottish International Open serves as another crucial tournament in the ranking calendar, particularly for players from the British Isles. This event contributes to the provisional ranking lists that are updated throughout the season, providing opportunities for players to climb the rankings even if they cannot compete in every major tournament. The Scottish International Open has a rich history and often produces surprising results that shake up the established order.
International events like the USA National Championships play a vital role in the global ranking system, ensuring that players from different continents have opportunities to earn points and improve their standings. These tournaments contribute to the diversity of the rankings, with players from nine countries currently represented in the top 10 of both men’s and women’s divisions. The inclusion of international events helps maintain the World Bowls Tour’s status as a truly global competition.
The UK Open, as a recent tournament that determined season-ending rankings, demonstrates how certain events carry more weight in the ranking calculations. Major tournaments like the UK Open often feature larger fields, higher prize money, and more substantial ranking points, making them crucial for players aiming to secure top positions before the season concludes. The results from these high-profile events can have lasting impacts on players’ rankings for months to come.
The most surprising finding is that Stewart Anderson has maintained the Number One spot on the World Bowls Tour for three consecutive seasons, demonstrating remarkable consistency in a sport where rankings can shift dramatically after each major tournament. To stay current with the latest rankings and tournament results, visit the official World Bowls Series website regularly, where rankings are updated following each major competition.
Frequently Asked Questions About World Bowls Tour Rankings Update
Who are the current top players in the World Bowls Tour rankings?
Paul Foster MBE (Scotland) leads with 774 points, followed by Corey Wedlock (Australia) with 766 points, Ross Owen (Wales) with 690 points, Jason Banks (Scotland) with 658 points, and Gary Kelly (Ireland) with 639 points.
How can players improve their World Bowls Tour rankings?
Players climb the rankings by earning points through tournament performances, with higher finishes in major events contributing more points toward their total.
Where can I find the official World Bowls Tour rankings?
The official World Bowls Tour rankings are published on the World Bowls Tour website and updated regularly to reflect tournament results and player points.