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Lee Westwood, a professional golfer who has joined the LIV Golf tour, has criticized the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system, calling it a “mockery”. The OWGR system is used to rank golfers based on their performance in tournaments around the world. Westwood’s comments come after the LIV Golf tour, which is a rival to the traditional PGA Tour and European Tour, has been struggling to get its events recognized by the OWGR. As a result, players who compete in LIV Golf events are not earning ranking points, which can affect their ability to qualify for major championships and other prestigious tournaments. Westwood, who has been a vocal supporter of the LIV Golf tour, believes that the OWGR system is unfair and biased towards the traditional golf tours. He argues that the system is not reflecting the true level of competition and talent on the LIV Golf tour, and that it is harming the careers of players who have chosen to join the new tour. The OWGR system is currently dominated by the PGA Tour and European Tour, and it is unclear whether the LIV Golf tour will be able to gain recognition and have its events included in the rankings. The situation has created tension and controversy in the golf world, with some players and fans feeling that the OWGR system is outdated and in need of reform. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops and whether the OWGR system will be revised to include the LIV Golf tour. In the meantime, Westwood and other LIV Golf players will continue to compete and try to prove themselves as among the best golfers in the world, despite the challenges posed by the current ranking system.

July 24, 2025

Contents

1 LIV Golf Players Face Uncertain Future in Official World Golf Rankings

LIV Golf Players Face Uncertain Future in Official World Golf Rankings

In a shocking turn of events, Lee Westwood’s tie for 34th at The Open Championship propelled him 3,759 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking, highlighting the flaws in the system and reigniting the debate about LIV Golf’s eligibility for world ranking points. With LIV Golf’s second submission for OWGR accreditation under review, players like Westwood, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau are speaking out about the need for a more inclusive and accurate ranking system.

The recent surge in Lee Westwood’s Official World Golf Ranking has brought attention to the contentious issue of LIV Golf’s eligibility for world ranking points. Westwood, who jumped from 3,689th to 930th after tying for 34th at The Open Championship, is now ranked higher than his son, Sam, a mini-tour player. This unexpected turn of events has sparked a heated debate about the flaws in the current ranking system. The English golfer’s comments came on the heels of LIV Golf’s second submission for OWGR accreditation, which is currently under review. The submission, made last month, aims to address the concerns surrounding LIV Golf’s eligibility for world ranking points. With the ranking system under scrutiny, LIV Golf players like Westwood, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau are advocating for a more inclusive and accurate ranking system.

The Current State of LIV Golf in the OWGR

The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is the premier ranking system for professional golfers. However, LIV Golf players have been struggling to accumulate ranking points due to their limited participation in major championships and international tour events. As a result, many top LIV Golf players, including Dustin Johnson and Lee Westwood, have seen their rankings plummet. Currently, only two LIV Golf players, Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton, are ranked within the top 50. The limited opportunities for LIV Golf players to earn ranking points have led to a discrepancy between their actual performance and their ranking.

Key Highlights of the OWGR System

Some key highlights of the OWGR system include:
* The ranking system is based on a two-year period, which can lead to inaccuracies in reflecting current form.
* Players can earn ranking points by participating in major championships and international tour events.
* LIV Golf players are currently not eligible to earn ranking points from LIV Golf events.
* The system has been criticized for being flawed and not accurately reflecting the performance of golfers.

The Impact on LIV Golf Players

The limited eligibility for world ranking points has significant implications for LIV Golf players. Without ranking points, players like Westwood and Johnson are struggling to qualify for major championships, which are a crucial part of a golfer’s career. The situation is further complicated by the fact that LIV Golf players can only earn ranking points by participating in limited events, making it challenging for them to maintain a high ranking. As a result, many top LIV Golf players are facing an uncertain future in the OWGR.

Quotes from LIV Golf Players

LIV Golf players have been vocal about their concerns regarding the OWGR system. Some notable quotes include:
* “I think that just proves that without world ranking points it makes a bit of a mockery of the system.” – Lee Westwood
* “I already thought it was flawed before I ever came, and I was vocal about it.” – Jon Rahm
* “I think there’s a lot of guys out here that you certainly want to be playing in majors. If there’s a better pathway for that for us, then that’s brilliant.” – Tyrrell Hatton

A Potential Solution

To address the concerns surrounding the OWGR system, LIV Golf players and officials are advocating for a more inclusive and accurate ranking system. One potential solution is to incorporate strokes gained metrics, which provide a more comprehensive picture of a golfer’s performance. This approach has been supported by players like Jon Rahm, who believes that strokes gained metrics are a better representation of a golfer’s true abilities. By adopting a more holistic approach to ranking golfers, the OWGR system can become more accurate and reflective of the current golf landscape.

Support from LIV Golf CEO

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil has expressed hope that the approval process for OWGR accreditation can progress ahead of the 2026 major season. This would provide a clearer pathway for LIV Golf players to qualify for major championships and ensure that the best golfers are competing in the most prestigious events. With the support of LIV Golf officials and players, it is likely that the OWGR system will undergo significant changes in the near future.

Conclusion:
The controversy surrounding LIV Golf’s eligibility for world ranking points has sparked a heated debate about the flaws in the current ranking system. With LIV Golf players facing an uncertain future in the OWGR, it is essential to address the concerns and develop a more inclusive and accurate ranking system. By incorporating strokes gained metrics and providing a clearer pathway for LIV Golf players to qualify for major championships, the OWGR system can become more reflective of the current golf landscape. As the golf world continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure that the ranking system is fair, accurate, and representative of the best golfers in the world.

Keywords: LIV Golf, Official World Golf Ranking, Lee Westwood, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, strokes gained metrics, major championships, golf ranking system.

Hashtags: #LIVGolf #OWGR #GolfRankingSystem #LeeWestwood #DustinJohnson #BrysonDeChambeau #JonRahm #TyrrellHatton #GolfNews #GolfUpdates #SportsNews #SportsUpdates.

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