Thomas knocks off Johnson as golf's No.1

Justin Thomas says he wants to establish a stranglehold atop golf's world rankings when he makes his debut as world No.1.

He will usurp Dustin Johnson in golf's top spot when the rankings are published on Monday, courtesy of Thomas's run of six victories since January 2017 and top-25 results in all but one event this year.

Johnson, who has held the crown since knocking Australia's Jason Day off the perch in February last year, surrendered the title when Thomas closed out The Players Championship with a six-under 66 to bag share of 11th place.

Johnson faded to a tie for 17th at TPC Sawgrass after a closing 72 left him at 10 under.

But 25-year-old Thomas, who won the PGA Championship and the US PGA Tour's $US10 million FedEx Cup bonus last year, says he is not keen on letting the rank go any time soon.

"It means a lot, but it's something I want to have for a long time, it's not something I just want to have once," he said.

"Like (Johnson) and Tiger (Woods) did, (longevity) is more of a goal of mine as opposed to just having it."

Big-hitting Johnson enjoyed 64 consecutive weeks in top spot, dating back to his win at Riviera Country Club last year.

He's added four more titles since then, with an eight-shot triumph at Tournament of Champions in January his most recent.

Thomas is the 21st player to reach No.1 since the rankings were created in 1986 and seventh American to do so.