LIV Golf's Recent Undesired OWGR Achievement Highlights the Inadequacy of Ranking Systems
In the ever-evolving world of golf, LIV Golf continues to make headlines. Launched in June 2022, the league has yet to receive sanctioning from the world ranking board, a significant hurdle it continues to navigate.
One of the most notable aspects of LIV Golf is its player roster. For the first time ever, the league had no players in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) this year. Notable players like Jon Rahm, currently ranked 73rd in the world, have expressed their disapproval of the OWGR's decision not to sanction LIV Golf, calling it "wrong" and "not fair."
The league is, however, working on addressing the cut issue by awarding points to just the top finishers. Yet, the individual and team format poses a unique challenge. The OWGR may prefer the new relegation system, but it remains to be seen whether it can work around the team aspect and the lack of cuts. The relegation system has been made more robust compared to last year, with anyone in the relegation zone losing their place on the circuit. This has resulted in the loss of spots for golfers like Henrik Stenson and Wild Card Anthony Kim.
Meanwhile, some players' OWGR rankings are lower than their Data Golf rankings. For instance, Cameron Smith, who joined LIV Golf in 2022, ranks 252nd in the OWGR, while Dustin Johnson's current ranking of 612th is significantly lower than his Data Golf ranking of 119th. Talor Gooch, a four-time LIV Golf winner, is ranked 1,874th in the OWGR, lower than his Data Golf ranking.
On a positive note, Scott O'Neil, who succeeded Greg Norman as CEO of LIV Golf, is leading the charge in a new application for the league to receive sanctioning by the world ranking board. This application is believed to be progressing ahead of the 2026 Major season.
As the league continues to evolve, so do the rankings of its players. Bryson DeChambeau slid down to 21st in the OWGR, while Joaquin Niemann is ranked 103rd in the world. Paul Casey, who recently finished in the top-25 at the European Masters, is currently outside of the top 1,000 in the OWGR. Sebastian Munoz is ranked 923rd in the world.
In the world of LIV Golf, the story is far from over. As the league continues to push for recognition and players strive for better rankings, the future of golf looks set to be an exciting one.
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