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Masters champion Jon Rahm has voiced his discontent with the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system following the withdrawal of LIV Golf’s application to join, stating that it is fundamentally flawed. The Saudi-backed league, LIV Golf, helmed by CEO Greg Norman, recently announced its decision to abandon its pursuit of world ranking points, prompting Rahm to criticize the existing ranking structure.
Rahm, who is among the high-profile players to have transitioned from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, expressed skepticism towards the OWGR, emphasizing its inadequacies. “I didn’t think it [OWGR] was a good system back then,” remarked Rahm, echoing sentiments he had previously voiced. The Spanish golfer emphasized that the OWGR’s deficiencies have only become more apparent over time.
LIV Golf’s initial application for OWGR accreditation was rebuffed in October, citing concerns about the league’s format, which features a consistent roster of 54 players competing in 54-hole, no-cut events. Norman lamented the lack of cooperation from the OWGR, asserting that the current ranking system fails to align with LIV Golf’s objectives.
With LIV Golf players excluded from accruing world ranking points, Rahm and other prominent figures who made the transition have witnessed a decline in their OWGR standings. Rahm emphasized the need for golf’s governing bodies to address the issue collectively, prioritizing the inclusion of the sport’s top talents in major championships.
While LIV Golf players have struggled to secure ranking points from the circuit’s events, exceptions have been made by major championships, such as the US Masters and the US PGA Championship, extending invitations to select players. Rahm commended the decision to grant Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann a special invitation, signaling a potential shift towards inclusivity.
However, challenges persist, with British Open officials refraining from extending concessions to LIV Golf, complicating qualification routes for the tournament. Negotiations regarding a potential merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which funds LIV Golf, remain ongoing, further complicating the landscape of professional golf.
