• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 28, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

The World’s Top-Ranked Golfers Aren’t Happy With … the Rankings

  • LIV Golf has given up on securing Official World Golf Ranking points.
  • PGA Tour players are starting to call out the current system.
Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

PGA Tour and LIV Golf stars are gathering on opposite sides of the world this week, with a collective $45 million in prize money on the line. But the cash up for grabs isn’t what players are talking about. LIV’s abandonment of its effort to secure Official World Golf Ranking points has sparked some passionate reactions among the sport’s top players.

Ahead of LIV’s tournament in Hong Kong, No. 3–ranked Jon Rahm (above) reiterated his years-long beef with the OWGR system. “If anything, the more time that goes on, the more it proves to be wrong,” he said. While Rahm hasn’t been negatively impacted by the current rankings yet (he said he didn’t even know LIV was still trying to get OWGR points), LIV’s Joaquin Niemann needed special invites from the Masters and PGA Championship, and other league staples like Talor Gooch are out of the majors altogether.

“I don’t think the world rankings are a true representation of the golf game at the minute,” No. 9–ranked Matthew Fitzpatrick said in Orlando ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “I don’t really look at them or pay attention to them anymore. I just don’t think they’re right.” Fitzpatrick said he prefers to look at Data Golf, a growing internet database that incorporates non-OWGR sanctioned tournaments like LIV’s. For example, Data Golf ranks Niemann at No. 12 in the world, 64 spots higher than his current OWGR ranking (No. 76).

“It’s inevitable that things need to be updated,” said Patrick Cantlay, No. 6 in the world. “The LIV Tour definitely has really good players,” added Xander Schauffele, No. 5. “I do believe they’re definitely top-ranked players in the world.”

Reading Between the Lines

LIV falls short of many of the OWGR’s sanctioning requirements, thanks mostly to its 54-hole tournaments, limited field sizes, and lack of substantial qualifying methods. However, the growing sentiment isn’t necessarily that LIV deserves OWGR points but rather that the system in place is not painting the entire picture of golf’s best players.

The OWGR’s governing board includes representatives from the four majors, as well as the PGA Tour, European Tour Group, and International Federation of PGA Tours. They could change their mind on how to allocate points whenever they please. For now, the big speed bump looks to be the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia’s impending deal with the PGA Tour, which could be worth $3 billion. Getting that completed would most certainly be a win for the PIF-backed LIV.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

CBS Sports to Get New Owner As Skydance Merger Clears FCC Hurdle

The long-awaited, but highly debated, merger gains regulatory approval.

UNC’s Bill Belichick Brings His NFL Swagger to ACC Media Days

UNC is becoming one of the most interesting stories in college football.
Jun 10, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever injured guard Caitlin Clark (22) follows the action from the bench against the Atlanta Dream during the second half at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.

Caitlin Clark’s Injury Not Worse, but Status for Chicago, Dallas Unclear

Clark has been out since suffering a groin injury on July 15.
Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; A general view of Times Square during the MLS Cup Times Square Watch Party prior to the game between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls.

MLS Reveals Apple TV Streaming Numbers, Raising Questions

The league gives a rare glimpse inside the high-profile streaming pact.

Featured Today

2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2.
July 26, 2025

‘Cool As Hell’: How ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Hooked Golf’s Top Stars

The process was “cool as hell,” Adam Sandler tells FOS.
Ryan Field Construction
exclusive
July 19, 2025

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.

NFL Fines 100 Players, Dozens of Team Employees for Super Bowl Ticket..

No individuals have been named in the ongoing investigation yet.
July 25, 2025

MLS Suspends Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba for Skipping All-Star Game

The league enforces its existing policy on its biggest star.
CJ McCollum
July 25, 2025

CJ McCollum Calls NBA CBA He Helped Negotiate ‘Not Perfect’ 

McCollum was the NBA players’ union president from 2021 until June 2025. 
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jan 21, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (33) and goaltender Carter Hart (79) watch from the bench against the Ottawa Senators during the third period at Wells Fargo Center.
July 25, 2025

NHL, NHLPA at Odds Over Five Acquitted Players From Hockey Canada Trial

The league is indefinitely barring the players despite the judge’s acquittal.
Michael Johnson
exclusive
July 24, 2025

Michael Johnson Says Investor Pulling Out Caused Grand Slam Track’s ‘Major, Major..

The investor walked away from an eight-figure term sheet, a source says.
July 24, 2025

Sophie Cunningham Fined $500 for Criticizing WNBA Refs on TikTok

The Indiana Fever star has more than 1.5 million followers on TikTok.
Nov 30, 2024; London, England; United states midfielder Lindsey Horan (10) with an overhead kick to shoot on gaol under pressure from England substitute Nikita Parris England defender Leah Williamson (5) and England defender Lucy Bronze (2) in the first half of an International friendly at Wembley Stadium.
July 24, 2025

WSL Extends Test of Alcohol in Stands Through Next Season

Attendance was up during the trial.