LIV Golf Denied Official World Golf Rankings Points: What You Need to Know
LIV Golf, a professional golf circuit, recently had its request to receive Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) points for its events denied. The decision was made by the OWGR board, which stated that it could not fairly measure the 48-man league with the other 24 tours around the world. This decision has significant implications for LIV Golf and the OWGR. Here’s what you need to know.
Background
LIV Golf submitted its application to receive OWGR points in July 2022, after it had already played two events. However, the committee that rejected LIV’s application included officials from Augusta National, the PGA of America, the U.S. Golf Association, and The R&A, which run the four majors. The majors use players’ OWGR standing as part of their qualifying criteria.
The Decision and Its Impact
OWGR chair Peter Dawson emphasized that the decision was not political but rather entirely technical. He stated that LIV players are undoubtedly good enough to be ranked but are not playing in a format where they can be ranked equitably with the other 24 tours and thousands of players trying to compete on them. Additionally, the fact that LIV has the same 48 players for the full season, with some players having guaranteed spots regardless of performance, also influenced the decision.
For LIV Golf, this denial of OWGR points is a significant blow. Until there is a resolution and the framework agreement between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour becomes a contract that passes United States government scrutiny, LIV and the PGA Tour will remain separate entities. This creates issues for players like Talor Gooch, who are strong but lack the resume to qualify for all the majors without going through U.S. Open and Open Championship qualifying.
The Impact on OWGR
The decision to deny OWGR points to LIV Golf events also has implications for the credibility of the ranking system. The OWGR may increasingly appear out of sync with what the eye test tells us. Over the past year, many of LIV’s top players have seen their rankings drop, which raises questions about the accuracy of the rankings. For example, it is clear that Bryson DeChambeau is not the 132nd player in the world or Dustin Johnson the 121st.
With more competitors in the space and alternative ranking systems like DataGolf.com’s rankings gaining popularity, the once iron-clad OWGR ranking is now being questioned. DataGolf.com ranks DeChambeau at No. 25 and Johnson at 40th, which contradicts their OWGR positions.
LIV Golf’s Response
In response to the OWGR decision, LIV Golf issued a statement expressing disappointment. LIV stated that the OWGR’s sole objective is to rank the best players across the globe and that the decision undermines that objective. LIV believes that a ranking system that fails to fairly represent all participants robs fans, players, and golf stakeholders of an accurate recognition of the world’s best player performances. LIV will continue to strive for an independent and objective ranking system that ensures the enjoyment of watching the best golf in the world.
Conclusion
The denial of Official World Golf Rankings points to LIV Golf events has significant implications for both LIV and the OWGR. While LIV Golf seeks recognition and a fair ranking system, the OWGR board maintains that LIV’s format and player structure do not allow for equitable ranking with other tours. This decision raises questions about the credibility of the OWGR and highlights the need for a global scoring and ranking system that accurately represents all participants. As LIV Golf and the PGA Tour work towards a resolution, the future of LIV’s participation in major championships and its impact on the world of golf remains uncertain.