00:00 – Lee Westwood Slams Official World Golf Ranking System
03:56 – Lee Westwood Criticizes OWGR System: LIV Golf’s Ranking Controversy
1. Lee Westwood Slams Official World Golf Ranking System
Lee Westwood expressed his frustration with the Official World Golf Ranking system after jumping 3,759 spots with his Open Championship finish.
He believes the system is flawed and makes a mockery of the rankings.
Westwood’s comments come as LIV Golf’s latest application for world ranking points is under review.
The veteran golfer thinks that the best players should be included in major championships, regardless of the tour they play on.
He also mentioned that the current system affects the qualification for major tournaments.
2. Lee Westwood Criticizes OWGR System: LIV Golf’s Ranking Controversy
Lee Westwood, a prominent LIV Golf player, has slammed the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system, calling it a ‘mockery.’ Westwood’s recent performance at The Open Championship vaulted him 3,759 spots, highlighting the flaws in the current ranking system. This video delves into Westwood’s criticisms, the impact on LIV Golf players, and the potential changes that could be made to the OWGR. We also discuss the implications for major championships and the future of LIV Golf. Join us as we explore the ongoing debate and its significance in the world of golf.
Lee Westwood slams official World Golf ranking system. Imagine working hard, achieving a significant milestone, and then realizing the system meant to recognize your efforts is fundamentally flawed. That’s exactly what happened with Lee Westwood, a seasoned golfer who found himself questioning the integrity of the official World Golf Ranking, OWGR, after his recent performance at the Open Championship. Despite moving up an astonishing 3,759 spots to reach no 930 in the rankings, Westwood wasn’t celebrating. Instead, he was vocal about how broken the OWGR system truly is. Westwood’s rise came after tying for 34th place at Royal Port Rush during the Open Championship, an event that remains one of G’s most prestigious tournaments. While this leap may seem impressive on paper, it highlights a glaring issue. Players from the live golf tour, including Westwood, are excluded from earning OWGR points unless they compete in majors or events sanctioned by other recognized tours. This exclusion has created a situation where even monumental jumps in ranking feel hollow. Adding an interesting twist to the story is the fact that Westwood now ranks higher than his son Sam, who competes on a smaller golf circuit and sits at number 2759. For Westwood, this familial comparison underscores just how flawed the current ranking methodology is. I think that just proves that without world ranking points, it makes a bit of a mockery of the system, he remarked during LiveGolf’s UK event, echoing frustrations shared by many of his peers. But here’s where it gets controversial. Should Live Golf events be granted OWGR accreditation? The league applied for inclusion when it launched in 2022, but its request was denied. Since then, live golfers have been left out of the rankings unless they participate in major championships or international tour events. Take Dustin Johnson as an example. He’s currently ranked 571st globally. Once the world’s top ranked player for 135 weeks, Johnson’s standing has plummeted since joining Liz Golf despite consistently performing well. The debate doesn’t stop there. Only two live golf stars, Bryson Dashambo, 16th, and Tyrell Hatton, 21st, appear in the OWGR’s top 50. Meanwhile, others like John Ron and Patrick Reed, who continue to deliver strong performances, remain conspicuously absent from the upper echelons of the rankings. This discrepancy raises questions about whether the OWGR accurately reflects the true skill levels of these athletes. For Westwood, the focus isn’t solely on personal rankings. It’s about ensuring the best players compete in major championships. He emphasized, “I think mainly it relates back to wanting the best players in the major championships, not wanting this conversation where there’s a few people missing out because we don’t get world ranking points on Liv.” His sentiment resonates with fellow Blivolf competitors such as Hatton, who has been outspoken about the need for fair recognition within the sport. Hatton guits his thoughts on the matter, saying, “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. These comments highlight a growing movement among live golf participants advocating for change, not just for themselves, but for the broader future of competitive golf. So, what do you think? Is the OWGR system outdated and in need of reform, or does it still serve its purposes actively? Should live golf events earn OWGR points, or would that undermine the traditional structure of professional golf? Share your thoughts in the comments below. We’d love to hear where you stand on this heated debate. Lee Westwood criticizes OWGR system. Live golf’s ranking controversy. In a recent ESPN article, Lee Westwood, a prominent live golf player, has criticized the official World Golf Ranking OWGR system, calling it a mockery. Westwood’s tie for 34th at the Open Championship propelled him an astonishing 3,759 spots in the OGR, placing him ahead of his son, Sam, who currently ranks 2759th. This situation has sparked Westwood’s criticism of the world ranking system. Westwood’s comments come after Liv Golf reapplied for OWGR submission last month, which is currently under review. Liv initially applied for accreditation in July 2022, but was denied. Liv players like Westwood have continued to drop down the OWGR due to their limited ability to accumulate points via the DP World Tour and other tours. Westwood supports Liv’s recent second submission and believes that without earning OWGR, the four major championships will need to revise their qualification processes to include more Liv players in the future. He argues that the OGR system is flawed and that a system focusing more on key playing metrics would be more accurate. The fact that Westwood was able to jump over 3,000 spots based on a tie for 34th at one event highlights the issues he has with the system. John Rom, who joined Liv in December 2023, also has issues with the OWGR and supports a system that focuses more on key playing metrics. For now, Liv players will continue to slide down the OWGR. They can accumulate some points on other tours outside of Liv events, but unless they’re included in the OWGR, it will become increasingly difficult for Liv players to qualify for the four biggest tournaments each year. Live golf CEO Scott O’Neal has expressed hope that the approval process can progress ahead of the 2026 major season. Tier Hatton, another Liv player, has also commented on the issue, stating that the current world rankings do not reflect the true abilities of many Liv players. But here’s where it gets controversial. Should live players be included in the OWGR or should they continue to be excluded? And if they are included, how should their rankings be determined? These are questions that the golfing world will need to grapple with in the coming
