Former world number one Jon Rahm believes the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is no longer fit for purpose, with LIV Golf having formally withdrawn its application to issue ranking points.
LIV Golf has long targeted recognition from the OWGR, first applying for ranking points to be awarded through its events in July 2022.
However, the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway circuit was denied accreditation last year, due to its events only featuring 54 holes with no cuts.
LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman formally abandoned their bid this week, writing in a letter to players that the OWGR did not represent “the best way forward” for the circuit.
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Masters champion Rahm joined LIV in one of the breakaway league’s biggest coups to date in December, and he believes the current system does not reflect golf’s new reality.
“I’m going to be honest, I didn’t know they were still trying to get world ranking points,” the Spaniard said ahead of LIV’s next event in Hong Kong, which begins on Friday.
“The one thing I can say is I’m going back to what I said two years ago at the DP World Tour Championship, I didn’t think it was a good system back then.
“If anything, the more time that goes on, the more it proves to be wrong.”
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With LIV Golf players deprived of regular opportunities to pick up ranking points, many have slid down the standings since joining the tour, with Rahm one of just four LIV players inside the current top 50.
Rahm cited the example of Joaquin Niemann – who is ranked 76th by the OWGR but won LIV’s most recent event in Saudi Arabia and has received invitations to The Masters, The Open and the PGA Championship – as evidence of the system working against LIV players.
“I’m very happy to see Joaco get invites. While we don’t have a clear path to majors through LIV yet, I think they should be taking everybody under consideration,” Rahm added.
“If anybody in this world doesn’t think Joaco deserves to be in the top 10 or doesn’t know that he’s a top player in the world, I don’t know what game you’re watching.
“We can tell. I think anybody who watches golf can tell who the best players in the world are. I don’t think the ranking is reflective of that right now.”
