The Official World Golf Ranking, after more than a full year of consideration, has denied LIV Golf’s request for world ranking points.
Associated Press reported that the OWGR rejected the request because it was unable compare the 48 player, 54 hole, shotgun start events, with no-cut to the other 24 tours in its world ranking wing. LIV Golf’s qualifying and relegation systems were also deemed to be a concern.
Peter Dawson, Chairman of the OWGR Board, told the AP, “We aren’t at war with them.” This decision to not make them eligible for the OWGR is not political. This is purely technical. The LIV players should be ranked. “They’re not playing in a way that allows them to be ranked fairly with the 24 tours, and thousands of players who are trying to compete.”
LIV Golf’s Greg Norman, and the players of LIV Golf have questioned world rankings for the past year. They have also criticized the board members that may have had conflicting interests in the new circuit supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and DP World Tour chief Executive Keith Pelley, as well as Keith Waters of the International Federation of PGA Tours, have all reportedly recused from any decision regarding the LIV to avoid conflict.
The committee that voted against LIV’s application was made up of leaders from Augusta National and the PGA of America as well as the U.S. The four majors are run by the Golf Association and The R&A. The majors use OWGR to determine their qualification criteria.
Bryson deChambeau, speaking this year at LIV Golf in Singapore, said: “You need to realize that the OWGR system is not accurate. “Two,” I said, “I think they should come up with a solution or else it will be obsolete. As of now, it’s almost obsolete. “But again, if majors and all continue to use that ranking system as theirs, they’re biting it pretty hard.”
Phil Mickelson stated that “it will all work out” because, as a major, or a Masters, “you’re not thinking, “We should keep them out,” ” ” Phil Mickelson. You’re thinking, “We want the best field and the best players. These guys contributed a lot this year to the Masters.” How can we include them?
Dawson told the AP that “Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia should of course be included in the rankings.” We need to figure out a way to do that. I hope LIV will find a way to solve the problem – not their format, which can be solved by a mathematical formula. But qualification and relegation.”
Despite their reservations, LIV Golf will use the OWGR to run its 72-hole promotion event, in which players ranked among the top 200 are eligible. There is a way for outside players to get into LIV. However, the pathway does not meet OWGR standards.
LIV Golf will be hosting the final regular-season tournament of its 2023 schedule in Saudi Arabia this week, and its Team Championship finale at Trump National Doral next week.
