Lee Westwood’s performance at The Open Championship, where he tied for 34th place, allowed him to climb 3,759 positions in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). He is currently in the 930th position. This advance puts him above his son, Sam Westwood, a mini-tour player ranked 2,759th. This fact served as an example for Westwood’s criticism of the world ranking system.
I think that shows that, without points for the world ranking, the system becomes a mockery.
Lee WestwoodThese comments arose after the LIV Golf league submitted a new application to be included in the OWGR last month, which is being evaluated. LIV Golf initially requested accreditation in July 2022, shortly after its launch, but was denied. LIV golfers can only earn ranking points by competing in major championships and international tour events. Due to the limited ability to accumulate points through the DP World Tour and other tours, players like Westwood have continued to fall in the OWGR. Dustin Johnson, who spent 135 weeks in the number 1 spot, reached 907th before rising to 571st after a tie for 23rd last week. Currently, only two LIV players are in the top 50 of the ranking: Bryson DeChambeau (16) and Tyrrell Hatton (21). Westwood supports LIV’s recent request and believes that, without obtaining points for the OWGR, the four major championships will have to modify their processes to include more LIV players in the future.The golfer adds that either points for the world ranking in LIV begin to be awarded or the major championships must review their qualifying system, which some seem to want to do, but others are reluctant. Westwood believes that a separate ranking system would be needed for LIV players, something that, according to him, nobody wants. Ideally, everything would be based on the same system. The fact that Westwood could climb more than 3,000 places thanks to a tie for 34th place in an event highlights the main problems he has with the system. Jon Rahm’s problems with the OWGR predate his joining LIV in December 2023, and he supports a system that focuses more on key game metrics.I think it mainly relates to wanting the best players in the major championships, not wanting this conversation where there are some people missing because we don’t get world ranking points on LIV.
Lee WestwoodRahm supports a system that focuses more on key game metrics. For LIV players, the current situation involves continuing to fall in the OWGR. Although they can accumulate some points on other tours outside of LIV events, the next major isn’t until next April’s Masters. Unless they are included in the OWGR, it will become increasingly difficult for LIV players to qualify for the four most important tournaments each year. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil expressed his hope that the approval process can move forward before the 2026 major season.I already thought it was defective before it arrived, and I said it openly.
Jon RahmHatton points out that the current ranking of many players does not reflect their true level, and that everyone would agree that the world ranking should be more realistic. The current situation underlines the need for changes to ensure that the best golfers compete in the most prestigious tournaments.I think there are a lot of players here that, without a doubt, you want them to play in the majors. If there is a better path for us, then it’s brilliant.
Tyrrell Hatton
