Graeme McDowell has claimed the Official World Rankings are ‘inaccurate and irrelevant’ following LIV Golf’s latest snubbing.
Graeme McDowell is one of several big names to have joined the Saudi backed Liv Golf tour, with the tour’s events not recognised by the world rankings.
For players like McDowell, the tour is way of securing financial safety they would never have achieved on the PGA Tour. However, the source of this money, from a country known for it's appalling human rights record, has led to other players staying away from LIV Golf.
One of the consequences for players joining, and indeed an encouragement for those who stay away from LIV Golf, is their achievements are not recognised by the official world rankings.
This has seen a number of high-profile players ranking spot affected, as several talented players have slid down the rankings over recent months.
READ HERE: Dustin Johnson Lands Crazy LIV Golf Prize After Just 6 Events
There have been attempts to gain points for players in the world rankings, with LIV Golf forming a strategic alliance with the MENA tour, co-sanctioning last week’s event in Bangkok and this week’s tournament in Jeddah.
However, this attempt has failed following the ranking confirmed prior to last weekend’s event that MENA’s application provided insufficient notice.
Graeme McDowell slams world rankings
Speaking at a press conference alongside the newly crowned LIV winner Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell used Johnson’s success to question the legitimacy of the world rankings.
“The word ‘Official’ has to go away from OWGR if they don't take care of the players out here."
- Graeme McDowell on #LIVGolf events and the possibility of world ranking points
More comments from Wednesday's press conference in Jeddah pic.twitter.com/le9smRXOnY— LIVGolfComms (@LIVGolfComms) October 12, 2022
“The guy standing in the middle of the three of us, if his world ranking is inaccurate then the whole system is inaccurate.
I feel like LIV tried to do everything they possibly can to be legitimate in the eyes of the OGWR. The world ‘Official’ has to go away from OGWR if they don’t take care of their players out there.”
The CEO of LIV Golf Greg Norman also called out the world ranking system, claiming people’s opinions on the Saudi backed tour should be put to one side.
“By degrading the strength of field by not allowing LIV players to get OGWR points, it’s not doing the game of golf any good.
Rise above it all. It’s good for the players, it’s good for the game of golf, it’s good for production, it’s good for corporations, its good for OEM’S , it’s good for fans, it’s good for everybody.”
With the Ryder Cup coming up next year and players rankings continuing to be affected, expect this issue to continue to be a major talking point.
SEE ALSO: John Rahm Calls For LIV Golf Players To Be Included In Ryder Cup
